Luke 24:18 NIV
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, Do you alone dwell as a stranger in Jerusalem and not know the things that have occurred there in these days?
It's ironic that these two disciples on their way to Emmaus would be amazed and ask Jesus if he was unaware of what had taken place. They will be amazed even more as the day goes on, but this will be due to their realization of their own blindness to the very presence of the Lord standing before them.
Been there, haven't you?
ouk(not) γινωσκω(know) not know, perceive or understand
Word for Life in Love— Scripture Meditations By Stephen Brown
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Necessity Of Blood
Hebrews 9:22-24 NIV
22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Christ entered and resides in the true sanctuary, the presence of God. He brought with Him perfected humanity. He brings to us the choice that was before the first Adam, that of choosing life or death. Adam's choice resulted in the fall of man. Until Jesus shed His blood, we were held captive by death, chained by that decision. Now the choice is ours to choose life and break free. His choice affected everyone, but ours affects us alone. Blood has been spilled and the ransom paid. We can remain where we are or follow Him into the presence of God.
22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Christ entered and resides in the true sanctuary, the presence of God. He brought with Him perfected humanity. He brings to us the choice that was before the first Adam, that of choosing life or death. Adam's choice resulted in the fall of man. Until Jesus shed His blood, we were held captive by death, chained by that decision. Now the choice is ours to choose life and break free. His choice affected everyone, but ours affects us alone. Blood has been spilled and the ransom paid. We can remain where we are or follow Him into the presence of God.
Monday, November 28, 2011
One Way
There was one way out of the Garden and that was disobedience. Adam took it. There is one way back- obedience. Jesus came and obeyed the Father so we can get back in.
There has always been one way to and from God.
It's the cool of the evening and God is calling out.
Will we be able to answer or will we have to hide? There is the one way that we can answer and call back - Father!
There has always been one way to and from God.
It's the cool of the evening and God is calling out.
Will we be able to answer or will we have to hide? There is the one way that we can answer and call back - Father!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Keep Awake
Mark 13:33 ESV
33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Many missed His first visitation, but all will be aware of His second coming. Do not sleep! Be quickened, stay that way, and live in that way.
Being ready requires a present state of being in the life of Christ. He comes and is present everyday. Don't miss your time of visitation.
33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Many missed His first visitation, but all will be aware of His second coming. Do not sleep! Be quickened, stay that way, and live in that way.
Being ready requires a present state of being in the life of Christ. He comes and is present everyday. Don't miss your time of visitation.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Our Home
John 14:23-24 ESV
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Jesus told his disciples that He was returning to the Father to prepare a place for them. There were many rooms in His Father's house. That is because that house is the body of Christ. We each are the many rooms. When the Father and Son come to dwell in the heart of the believer, that house grows. There is room for each and everyone for we are the place of abiding, if we abide with Him.
He is the cornerstone and we are the stones of that new temple, the dwelling place of God. Our home.
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
Jesus told his disciples that He was returning to the Father to prepare a place for them. There were many rooms in His Father's house. That is because that house is the body of Christ. We each are the many rooms. When the Father and Son come to dwell in the heart of the believer, that house grows. There is room for each and everyone for we are the place of abiding, if we abide with Him.
He is the cornerstone and we are the stones of that new temple, the dwelling place of God. Our home.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Beyond Their Grasp
John 10:37-39 NIV
37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
They did not believe His words, nor the miracles He performed. They did not know or understand God. They reached out to seize Jesus, but He was beyond their grasp, just as God is beyond their reach. God is only near because of Jesus.
37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
They did not believe His words, nor the miracles He performed. They did not know or understand God. They reached out to seize Jesus, but He was beyond their grasp, just as God is beyond their reach. God is only near because of Jesus.
Friday, November 18, 2011
To Be Human
What is it like to be truly human?
We reflect broken humanity.
Jesus came that we can be truly human as God intended.
Thats how we start.
Poker Preaches
Gospel in poker terms:
A royal flush trumps everything.
The blood of Jesus washes everyone clean, trumping sin and death.
The odds of receiving a royal flush are rather remote. The probability of receiving the salvation of God is 100% if you truly ask.
What game are you playing? What's in your hand?
Grace and Peace be with you.
A royal flush trumps everything.
The blood of Jesus washes everyone clean, trumping sin and death.
The odds of receiving a royal flush are rather remote. The probability of receiving the salvation of God is 100% if you truly ask.
What game are you playing? What's in your hand?
Grace and Peace be with you.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hidden
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Being raised with Christ, we are lifted into new life. A new perspective is now available to us. We live on earth, but our understanding has opened as our spirit is made new in the life of Christ. Just as we are receiving eternal life in spirit through the Holy Spirit, our bodies will receive eternal life when Jesus returns. That is when we will become fully human as God intended.
Being "hidden" with or in Christ speaks to our inclusion in the body of Christ. Through His grace and mercy, we have been washed in His blood. We have been given white robes of His righteousness when we accept and put on Christ, and our sins remembered no more. When God looks our way, He sees us through the eyes of His loving Son. The old is hidden and the new is being revealed.
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Being raised with Christ, we are lifted into new life. A new perspective is now available to us. We live on earth, but our understanding has opened as our spirit is made new in the life of Christ. Just as we are receiving eternal life in spirit through the Holy Spirit, our bodies will receive eternal life when Jesus returns. That is when we will become fully human as God intended.
Being "hidden" with or in Christ speaks to our inclusion in the body of Christ. Through His grace and mercy, we have been washed in His blood. We have been given white robes of His righteousness when we accept and put on Christ, and our sins remembered no more. When God looks our way, He sees us through the eyes of His loving Son. The old is hidden and the new is being revealed.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Listen To Him
Matthew 17:5 ESV
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
God the Father speaks of his Son. To say you believe God you imply that he said is true. To say that you believe in God, but not Jesus as the Son of God, is to reject God. Worshipping something other than God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son is idol worship. Hold to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Listen to him.
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
God the Father speaks of his Son. To say you believe God you imply that he said is true. To say that you believe in God, but not Jesus as the Son of God, is to reject God. Worshipping something other than God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son is idol worship. Hold to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Listen to him.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Creation
The story can tell us many things.
The unfolding of God's plan.
The gradual progress of creation and of revelation of man, and in the individual within God' plan is part of this story.
A new creation lies ahead, beginning here and now in the heart, through the grace and mercy of God. All this by the Word of God, spoken and made possible by Jesus Christ. It is between the Alpha and Omega that we move, breathe, and find life.
He spoke in the beginning and will have last word.
So it is.
The unfolding of God's plan.
The gradual progress of creation and of revelation of man, and in the individual within God' plan is part of this story.
A new creation lies ahead, beginning here and now in the heart, through the grace and mercy of God. All this by the Word of God, spoken and made possible by Jesus Christ. It is between the Alpha and Omega that we move, breathe, and find life.
He spoke in the beginning and will have last word.
So it is.
Walking Together
Jesus said He is the way. There is no other way to God.
Jesus said He is the truth. That is the truth of God.
Jesus said He is the life. Other paths lead to death.
To say anything else reveals a heart that disagrees with Christ, and does not walk with Him. How can two walk together unless they agree?
Jesus said He is the truth. That is the truth of God.
Jesus said He is the life. Other paths lead to death.
To say anything else reveals a heart that disagrees with Christ, and does not walk with Him. How can two walk together unless they agree?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
What Would You Say?
Is Jesus the only way to salvation?
Is He sufficient?
What does Scripture say?
Does it matter?
What did He say?
What would you say?
Is He sufficient?
What does Scripture say?
Does it matter?
What did He say?
What would you say?
Friday, November 11, 2011
We Are Perfected
Where we lack, He fulfills.
What we are not, He is.
We are imperfect, He is perfect.
If He is in us, we are perfected in God's love. It is done even as it is happening, for He has spoken, His words endure, and His love is everlasting.
What we are not, He is.
We are imperfect, He is perfect.
If He is in us, we are perfected in God's love. It is done even as it is happening, for He has spoken, His words endure, and His love is everlasting.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hope
Colossians 1:5-7 NASB
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond- servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
More than wishful thinking, this hope is an expectation confirmed by the resurrection. In verse 5 we see that the thing hoped for is in fact done and awaits us in heaven.
Further, the fruit of the Spirit bears witness to His presence and sealing in the kingdom of God which results.
The gospel is the grace in truth of God Who is true.
Its work continues in us and through us, reclaiming and renewing, and it continues to grow until He comes again.
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond- servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
More than wishful thinking, this hope is an expectation confirmed by the resurrection. In verse 5 we see that the thing hoped for is in fact done and awaits us in heaven.
Further, the fruit of the Spirit bears witness to His presence and sealing in the kingdom of God which results.
The gospel is the grace in truth of God Who is true.
Its work continues in us and through us, reclaiming and renewing, and it continues to grow until He comes again.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Living From The Dead
And He will come to judge the living from the dead...
from the Apostle's Creed
There are many who are alive in mortal flesh, yet are spiritually dead. There are many who whose flesh is long gone, but are alive in Christ. Incredibly, we get to decide how it will be with us. The offer is for the world.
Even more incredibly, and all the more sadly, many do not and will not choose life.
from the Apostle's Creed
There are many who are alive in mortal flesh, yet are spiritually dead. There are many who whose flesh is long gone, but are alive in Christ. Incredibly, we get to decide how it will be with us. The offer is for the world.
Even more incredibly, and all the more sadly, many do not and will not choose life.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Perfect
Colossians 2:9-10 NASB
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
πληρόω -Complete, filled to the max.
Is it possible to be perfect?
If we are in Christ, the answer is yes, for in Him is the fullness of God.
We are complete in Him, perfected in the love of God.
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
πληρόω -Complete, filled to the max.
Is it possible to be perfect?
If we are in Christ, the answer is yes, for in Him is the fullness of God.
We are complete in Him, perfected in the love of God.
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