“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 NIV
God’s handiwork
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Tag Archives: Jesusfreak
Show me the way
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
UNDIVIDED
Christ calls on Christians to encourage each other and to build each other up. Too much in this world tears us down. We should choose love.
Jesus said, ‘Go’
A simple command: GO.
GO make disciples
GO to all nations
GO baptize people
GO do so in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
GO teach them to obey Christ’s commands
GO GO GO GO.
GO is the beginning to GOD.
Fix our gaze
“So don’t look at the troubles we can see now: rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.” 2 Corinthians 4:18.
Just like in archery, if we are distracted by the action going on around us, we’re going to miss hitting our target. Pictured above is my daughter, who is trying to focus through the rain — a problem beyond her control. She knows concentration and keeping her eyes fixed on the middle of the target is key to hitting a bullseye.
An archer follows her training: Tune out the distractions. Be still. Focus. Breathe. Release. Impact.
And … repeat.
Our spiritual life is much the same. What’s your ultimate focus? Is it God and eternity? If not, what is your priority?
No other name
This impressive ceiling is from The Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois. It’s magnificent. Look at the details and see how together they form a beautiful human creation. It’s creative and expressive. God, after all, designed us to be creative, like him. Although, none of us can create the beauty of this life — us, our world, the universe, we can add to the splendor.
The more we explore and discover this world and the universe, the more we realize how creative and wonderful God is. The details fascinate us, and our thirst for discovery grows. And that’s OK. God is not afraid of the question “Why?” These are all gifts God has given us.
So explore your own creativity. Pursue knowledge. Talk to God and use the gifts he gave you. Just don’t be surprised that in your creative quest you find God in the details.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
In Galatians 5: 22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is listed. If we are following Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will lead us to “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
What is against the law is found in the paragraph before: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The Scripture goes on to say that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
May we all be led by and be in step with the Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Something better
Image
Words matter
I took this photo on a trip to Seattle, Washington. The mountains and clouds leave me in awe of creation. God is great and reigns over all of creation. Everything.
He created it for us because he loves us.
He also forgives us when we ask. Why? Because he wants a relationship with us. God is also just. So when we draw our last breath, all that matters in that moment is that relationship with God. Do you acknowledge Christ? Jesus’ words are clear. If you have not acknowledged Christ, he will not acknowledge you.
Just before the pictured verse above, in Luke 12:4-5, Jesus is talking to his disciples about the Pharisees and says, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Can’t you hear Jesus’ punctuated words? “Yes, I tell you, fear him.” It brings shivers. However, he follows that with an unwritten “But …” that leads into the pictured verse. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Sparrows were cheap sacrifices — of very little worth. However, God doesn’t forget even one. So how much more is his love for us that he even knows how many hairs are on our heads? And he follows it with the beginning of a promise of his love, “Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
“I tell you, whoever acknowledge me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.”
Jesus is going to stand up and claim you as one of his own. It’s a promise. You are sealed as his.
“But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”
Your words and choices matter in this life. If you proclaim Jesus, he will proclaim you. If you don’t, you should fear the one who will throw you into hell.
And even if you have denied Jesus and spoken against him in your life but then acknowledge him, you will be forgiven. “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven …”
And then there is the “but …,” the hitch. “… but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”
That’s heavy. That’s real. I like this explanation from Focus on the Family about what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is: “The sin of ‘blaspheming the Holy Spirit,’ then, is essentially the sin of rejecting Christ.
“What’s more, the ‘unpardonable’ nature of this sin has less to do with punishment than it does with the hardening effect of the sin itself. ”
Here is the link if you want to read more: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-q-and-a/faith/blasphemy-of-the-holy-spirit-and-the-unforgivable-sin
In this life, words matter. Choose wisely.
Speaking boldly for the Lord
Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. Jesus rose from the grave and conquered death for you. And Jesus is coming back again — for you.
God loves you. God sent his only son to die for you. He resurrected Jesus and sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers. He will judge us in the end. Only those who believe Jesus is the one and only son of God who died for the sins of the world and was resurrected will be saved from hell.
How often are we that blunt?
But isn’t that what we’re charged with as Christians? Ultimately, in the end, isn’t THE message of salvation, of God’s love for us, what we are supposed share with the world?
I am guilty of not doing that. I’ve been a believer since I was a child. If someone asks me about Jesus, I’m happy to talk about the Lord, his mercies and salvation. But do I preach the word? Do I get out of my comfort zone and approach people with the Good News? No, I do not.
I try to live my faith openly. People who know me know I love Jesus. But for those of you who don’t see the Scriptures booklet on my desk or who see me at church, what have I done for you? Nothing.
Let’s change that.
In Matthew 19:26, Jesus says, “… with God all things are possible.”
I believe that. So let’s see where God leads.
Prayer: Thank you God for your Son, who died for the sins of the world for all generations. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit. And please bless those who are reading. In your name we pray. Amen.
Sheila Selman 