apples and oranges

Apples are a tasty fruit and the old cliché, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” speaks of the healthful properties of apples. From the earliest times the apple has had a bad rap by being tagged as the fruit eaten in the Garden of Eden and thus represented sin. Oranges too are sweet and good to taste and the vitamin C it contains is necessary for our diets. But even with apples and oranges both being fruit and both being good they are very different. And that is the reason I have called this blog apples and oranges for I want to show the difference between 2 things sometimes misconstrued the same thing..

Some have questioned how I can reconcile believing that JESUS has saved me to the uttermost1 and that GOD will make me stand2 with the need urging me to discipline myself to draw near and learn of JESUS and do things GOD’s way so I may live on earth victoriously.

For one thing we don’t need to reconcile friends and for another we are talking apples and oranges. Now these are exciting but difficult topics and I only have time to give you a brief overview of these things. But I hope it is enough to show you GOD’s order and whet your appetite for further study.

apples … deal with sin. The free gift of Eternal life is just that free- JESUS reconciled me with GOD through HIS blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. JESUS did for me what I could not do for myself. When I accepted JESUS work on my behalf I was given the free gift of eternal life and was reconciled with GOD and became HIS child.

oranges … concerns our work on earth and earning rewards. The fruit of a living victorious life on earth comes only through hard work but it brings both GOD pleasure and earns rewards for us. We see this at the believer’s judgment. 4

But before we talk briefly about the judgments let me say that all believers are not disciples although all disciples are believers. All believers get apples –eternal life but only disciples get the bonus of oranges-rewards for work done.

Now there are many judgment seats in the Bible. It was at Pilate’s judgment seat that JESUS was condemned to die on the cross. In Matthew 25 we see JESUS sitting and separating the sheep from the goats… that judgment seat has to do with life on earth during the 1,000 year reign of Christ. But there are only 2 eternal judgment seats.

The 1st of these eternal judgment seats we find in I Corinthians 3:10-15. 4 It is for believers in JESUS who are alive at the Rapture and for those believers in JESUS who died before the Rapture I Thessalonians 4:13-18. 5

Somewhere between our lifting off the earth but before we enter into the highest heaven to go to the wedding feast of the lamb all believers in JESUS will go through a roaring fire and the fire will test our lives/ works/ relationships only that which survives the fire will be rewarded (Revelation tells us JESUS brings HIS reward with HIM). Some will go through the fire and receive a reward(oranges) others will go through the fire and everything will burn away but they themselves will be saved(apples) as out of a roaring fire. This is also spoken of in I John 2:28 where it talks about us being ashamed at HIS appearing. NOTE: All believers will get an apple- eternal salvation but only deciples who have disciplined themselves will get oranges.

The 2nd of the eternal judgment seats is called the White Throne Judgment where all who came to know JESUS after the rapture, and all Jews from the beginning of Abraham and all unbelievers who have ever lived will be judged. These will be judged out of the books. Anyone not found in the Lamb’s book of life (anyone who has not become a believer) will be cast into the lake of fire which is also called the 2nd death.

I hope this has helped you see the difference between apples and oranges and has whet you appetite to dig deeper…
Hugs
Sharon

apples
1- Hebrews 7:24but because JESUS lives forever, HE has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore HE is able to save completely/ forever those who come to God through HIM, because HE always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 10:12But when this priest (JESUS) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of GOD. 13Since that time HE waits for HIS enemies to be made HIS footstool, 14because by one sacrifice HE has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
*******
2-Jude 24To HIM who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before HIS glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Romans 14:4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the LORD is able to make him stand.
oranges
3-Colossians 1; 29To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me.

1Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to GOD because of all HE has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind HE will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship HIM. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let GOD transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know GOD’s will for you, which is good and acceptable and lacks nothing.
believer’s judgment
4-1 Corinthians 3:10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Who will be at believer’s judgment
5-1 Thessalonians 4:13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

stand or fall

Most of us have seen and laughed at the antics of a baby learning 1st to sit and then to stand. But it actually takes a lot of work and often much coaching and even more help.

The motor cortex of the brain, on which will be written all the coding for intentional movement, starts out blank as a washed chalkboard. Although the seeds of instinctive behavior are there, an infant, dominated by gravity, cannot hold his head or trunk upright…from “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” pg.167 by Dr. Paul Brand & Philip Yancey

It is the same for a babe in Christ.

Sunday my pastor prefaced his sermon by saying that some might think what he was about to say was an oxymoron but in reality he was just going to show us the balance of two sides. He spoke pure truth. The balance he spoke on was on living a victorious life. Summing it up, Pastor Dave said, GOD supplies but we must discipline ourselves (to read the word and choose to humble ourselves and step out and apply it in our lives). One point he made was it is a real battle, not something that comes easy.

I am speaking on another subject, but it too can seem like an oxymoron. So I pray that GOD will show you truth from error.

The thing that struck me most this time through the book of Romans was the topic of acceptance. I noticed 3 kinds of acceptance.


Romans 10: 3 For they don’t understand GOD’s way of making people right with HIMSELF. Refusing to accept GOD’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with GOD by trying to keep the law.

The 1st acceptance is man accepting GOD’s way, JESUS. Remember how JESUS said, “I am the way”?

In John 3:14 Jesus reminds us of an Old Testament story. In the wilderness the Jews made GOD mad again, this time GOD sent snakes among them and anyone who got bit would die. So they ran to Moses for him to help them. Moses went to GOD and GOD told Moses to put a snake on a pole. If anyone got bit by a snake all he had to do was look at the pole and he would live. But if he refused to look he would die. Simple as that. Some refused to believe it would help and they died. Others immediately looked at the pole and were healed.

Then in the next breath JESUS said: John 3:16 GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son that whoever believes in HIM (looks to HIM) will not die but have ever lasting life. Then in John 3:36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that refuses to believe on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him.

When people refuse to accept the love of the truth, GOD’s way, they can not get right with or be accepted by GOD. HIS wrath abides on those who refuse to believe.

Romans 14:1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak (unnourished), eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.

The 2nd acceptance spoken of is our acceptance of other Christians. Such acceptance should not be on if we agree with their opinions or how well they talk or how much education they have or what they wear but solely on the premise that GOD has accepted them.

Now we have already seen that GOD accepts people only if they look to JESUS so that means that the basis of our acceptance of believers is simply that they have looked to JESUS.

Romans:14;4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands (present, indicative) or falls. And he will stand (future, indicative, passive), for the Lord is able (present indicative) to make him stand.

The Greek word stand in this passage is stakeo=to make stand, set in place, to establish, confirm, be permanent, endure, be firm, to fix, agree upon. It is often used as a financial term meaning agree upon payment, establish terms, come to agreeance. Makes me think of Isaiah 1:18-20 “come let us reason together…”

We see the 3rd acceptance as GOD's acceptance of someone when he accepts JESUS,. When someone accepts JESUS, he becomes GOD’s servant. Only the Master knows what assignments HE has sent HIS servant on. Only the Master has the right to say if the servant fulfills his responsibilities.

Three times in Romans 14:4 the word stand is used so I went to the Greek. And all three times they are in the indicative which simply means in reality. So I am going to preface the meanings with those words to make the sense of the passage clearer.

1- in reality, the servant stands or fails (falls) before his Master alone. (only his Master opinion matters)
2- in reality GOD’s servant will definitely (future) stand. That word stand here is passive which means another is propping him up.
3- (now listen to these beautiful words) For in reality GOD is able to make him stand. (The word able is dunimis where we get our word dynamite).

In other words our standing with GOD is enabled by GOD’s dynamic power.

When GOD accepts people HE accepts them because they accept JESUS and HE accepts them at the level of their commitment right then. Let me give you an example:
After JESUS’ resurrection and Peter’s denying JESUS 3 times, the LORD JESUS spoke privately with Peter, not upbraiding him for his failure but repeating a question and calling Peter to a specific work.

The 1st and 2nd time JESUS asked Peter if he loved HIM with the full commitment of GOD’s love (agapa) and told Peter to feed HIS sheep. Both times Peter answered JESUS, “I love you like a brother (phileo)” which is another Greek word for love with a much lower commitment. But the 3rd time JESUS asked Peter if he loved HIM like a brother (phileo) lowering the level of commitment HE required and gave him the same instructions.

You see GOD accepted Peter because he believed in JESUS and called him at the level of his commitment. But the story is not over, for if you read in 2 Peter 1:7 you see that GOD didn’t leave Peter the way he was therefore Peter learned how to love JESUS with the full commitment of GOD’s own agapa love.

Romans 8 28And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose. 29For those God foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of HIS Son, that HE might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those HE predestined, HE also called; those HE called, HE also justified; those HE justified, HE also glorified.

1st we must accept GOD’s way… JESUS
2nd we need to accept other believers simply because GOD accepts them
3rd we are accepted and stand or fall before GOD alone and HE will enable us to stand ( though we may have a few falls along the way).

Isn’t the word acceptance a beautiful word? What is your criteria for accepting others?

What's got your attention?

What's got your attention? What do you talk about? American Idol? the Broncos? It is amazing where you will see their emblem. All fads and games lead to emptiness in time, they all go bankrupt! Today’s great stars will fade and be replaced by new stars, the cycle of fads will continue.

A bowery bum was found with a slashed throat in 1864. The Derelicts name and address was misspelled on the hospital form, they also missed his age, but no one seemed to care. He was just a bum. Early in the morning he stumbled out of bed and staggered to the wash basin where he fell dying. Three days later the man died from malnutrition, alcoholism and loss of blood. A friend finally came and identified him. They recovered 38 cents from the man's pockets and a scrap of paper. This amount of money would have been one more night's lodging at the bowery. On the piece of paper were written five words:" Dear friends and gentle hearts." The start of a speech never finished before this man died at age 37. He had given the world some of the greatest fad songs of the times, “CAMPTOWN RACES,” “OH SUSANNA,” “JEANIE WITH THE LIGHT BROWN HAIR,” “MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME,” and hundreds more. His name was Stephen Foster. He died bankrupt although he gave the world great songs that were the fad of his time./ source unknown.

I John 2:15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave... but the one who does the will of GOD endures forever.

Last spring was our 1st in our little retirement home. We have a nice size privacy fenced back yard and Mac wanted a picnic table so we could eat outside when he bar b qued for family and friends when they stopped by. Having the time, since he was retired, and wanting a project, he decided he would do it himself and build his own picnic table. So he turned on his computer and surfed the net and came up with clear instructions in how to build a picnic table. He followed the instructions and it came out wonderful and we have and are enjoying eating out on that picnic table.

Do it yourself is not a new concept. For as long as I can remember there have been do it yourself books that offer us instructions in how to do anything from how to plant a garden to what have you. Today you don’t even have to buy a book, just surf the net.

Do it yourself goes way, way, way back. Back to before the beginning of mankind.

Let’s read a little recorded history lesson concerning the beginning of do it yourself. This history story tells of the 1st do it yourselfer. It begins with a top angel, the devil, also called Lucifer (bright and shining one) or Satan.

Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart,

"I will ascend to heaven;

I will raise my throne above the stars (angels) of God;

I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; .
I will make myself like the Most High."

Notice that last declaration and you will see that the devil himself was the 1st do it yourselfer. HE was determined to be independent of GOD and to do it himself. The devil’s heart was set on exalting himself and his great deception for himself is the very thing he tempted Eve with, “you will be like the Most High” Genesis 3:5 It is the great deception.

*******Now listen to the heart of GOD as HE speaks concerning the remnant, the children of Israel and of keeping HIS promise to their ancestors.
33"They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction. 34"But they put their detestable things in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. 35"They built the high places of Baal that are in the valley of Ben-hinnom to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

The Most High GOD’s chosen people believed the deceiver’s great deception that they are like GOD and knew best and turned away from GOD, refusing GOD’s instructions and flaunted their sins in HIS face. They did things for themselves even created their own gods and then they even offered their own children as sacrifices to their own gods… as many do today through abortion to the god of self. Yet GOD says:

Jeremiah 32:37"Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and
I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety.
38"They shall be My people, and I will be their God;
39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
40"I will make an everlasting covenant with them that
I will not turn away from them, but do them good;
and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.
41"I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land
with all My heart and with all My soul.
44'… for I will restore…' declares the LORD."

Both the Most High GOD over all creation and the evil one, the devil, have declared I will do certain things. Their I wills show what is in their hearts. Sometimes you and I utter those very words…. I will

As the devil spoke in his heart, he revealed that he is all for himself. His great deception, that he would be independent and like the Most High GOD, is the very thing that he tempted Eve with in the garden (Genesis 3: 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.")

On the other hand, the LORD GOD Almighty Creator of heaven and earth and all that is within them is for us with all HIS heart and with all HIS soul.

JESUS said that the greatest command is to love the LORD our GOD with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our strength and the 2nd command is like it: to love our neighbors as ourselves. Here in Jeremiah 32 we see that is just how HE , the Creator of the universes loves each of us who have defied HIS authority and instructions. Doesn’t that just blows you away? It does me!

hugs

Sharon

confused

Genesis 11: 1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.

But the people defied GOD and went against what HE told them to do, so the Trinity had a conference and it was decided what they were going to do.

Genesis 11:7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”

So today even when we speak the same language we do not always mean the same thing when we use the same work.

Like the word will. What does the word will mean? That entirely depends on the context in which it is used.

The will of: Will you come here?
is entirely different than the will of: The will of so and so will be read at 2pm.

In the same is true when we think about the will of GOD. It can get confusing when we read of the words: will of GOD unless we realize the 2 types of will of GOD used in the Bible and look at the context in which it is used..

There is the decreed will of GOD... GOD declares something will happen.... and HE makes sure it does.

Ephesians 1:11... according to the plan of HIM (GOD) who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of (GOD) will,

Acts 1726From one man GOD made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and HE determined/ set the times set for each of them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

But word translated will can also just mean want or desire
In the King James we read: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Does that mean GOD has decreed that no one will perish? The Bible says many will perish so we know that is not what it means.

The answer is seen in context and I think the New international Version makes it clear.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

GOD desires, wants everyone to be saved but they won't be. Why? Because GOD has given man free will to choose. He can chooses to believe what GOD says or refuse the truth.

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

GOD made us and chooses the times and places for us but HE has left the biggest choice up to us. The choice in believing HIS word or the lies of the evil one. It is your choice...

a role of the dice

A die or dice (plural dice, from Old French dé, from Latin datum "something given or played") is a small polyhedral object, usually cubic, used for generating random numbers or other symbols. The oldest known dice were excavated as part of a 5000-year-old backgammon set, at Shahr-i Sokhta, the Burnt City, an archeological site in south-eastern Iran.[4]
Dice have been used throughout Asia since before recorded history. I was amazed at the wide variety of uses and different kinds of dice cited in the Wikipedia article I read. While polyhedral dice have been used in teaching basic arithmetic, and dice are used in role playing. Dice can be used for divination. Using dice for such a purpose is called cleromancy. A pair of standard 6-sided dice is usual though other forms of polyhedra can be used. Tibetan Buddhists sometimes use this method of divination.
There are several biblical references to "casting lots", as in Psalm 22, indicating that it had become commonplace in the region as of the time of King David. The “casting of lots” can refer to either “Sortition”, the casting of lots to make a fair form of selection or Cleromancy, the casting of lots as a form of divination (since divination is forbidden in the Bible we must conclude sortition (casting lots to make a fair form of selection) is what is being spoken of.
All of us have seen dice and many of us have played the game Yahtzee where chance has more say than skill. But in the casting of lots done in the Bible such is not the case.

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

A similar thought is found in the New Testament verse
Ephesians 1:11… according to the plan of HIM (GOD) who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of (GOD) will,

Clearly these verse say that GOD determines the details of our lives. They are not by chance.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 (so) accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

GOD has given us a certain number of days to live. HE has also assigned our location and jobs. Our assignment is a gift from GOD. To accept our lot and be happy in our work is a gift of GOD.

There are many even here in America who would consider having a job a gift. Others would consider the ability to work a gift. If finding satisfaction is working is not an active part in your life, you may want to focus on it being a gift.

Colossians1:9 literal … We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of HIS will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please HIM in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to HIS glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified and equipped you for your part in the lot of his people in the kingdom of light.

2 Corinthians 10:13We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us

GOD has honored you and me by assigning us a lot (a territory to work in) Our circumstances are not by chance.

Acts 17:26 ...HE determined the times set for us and the exact places where we should live

Having a job to do for GOD is a gift so find satisfaction in doing it for the LORD and give joyful thanks to our FATHER who has qualified and equipped you to do your part/ your assignment.

Did you realize that through you and me working in our assigned areas- with our personal gifts and limitations-GOD is showing off HIS wisdom to the angels and demons?

Ephesians 3:10HIS (GOD’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of GOD should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to HIS eternal purpose…

Next time you feel like grouching about what you must do… remember you have been honored to represent GOD… this gift is being seen in how we live our life and do our work.

hugs

Sharon

If a jug is already full of anything, nothing can be poured into it.

Neither can Christ be seen in us if we are full of ourselves. That is why Romans 12:1 says: Therefore, I urge you, in view of GOD's mercy, to offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to GOD which is your reasonable service.

When we lay down our lives as a sacrifice( giving up our rights and plans and let HIM lead us in where we go, what we say and what we do) then HE will be seen.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us" (II Cor. 4:6,7).

Just as GOD said, "Let there be light." and there was light, in the same way when we allow HIM free reign to shine in our hearts others will HIM through us.

But the choice is ours. Will we lay down our own thoughts and our own ways and acknowledge/ ask/ talk to HIM about everything? HE is waiting to fill us.

I am an earthen vessel, just a little pot of clay

without contents I am worthless, unused, inane I lay

Till the tender Master Potter fills HIS vessel from above

with the living flowing water of HIS great eternal love

No longer am I worthless, nor unused, inane do lie

Now there is water for the thirsty. Their needs HE does supply

hugs
Sharon

up a tree

My granddaughter laughed as she easily scrambled up the tree grabbing one branch after another. But when I noticed how high she was perched on a limb, with that saucy look on her face just like those squirrels that tease the dogs next door, I panicked.
"Get down here now!", I shouted. Kaylee turned to look at me and her laughter stopped when she looked down and saw how far down below her the ground was. Fear came over her face and she screamed. Uncle John heard and came running. As soon as he got to the tree he began the ascent. Once she saw him and heard his gentle voice coaxing her to come to him, the fear on her face evaporated, and was instantly replaced with relief.

Like Kaylee did in that tree so many years ago, many feel alone and without hope today. They are focused upon what is happening all around them, rather than thinking about the power of GOD, and HIS promises.

What the enemy intends for evil, GOD intends for good. HE will use our struggles/troubles to accomplish HIS work and good purposes. Genesis 50:20

We need to deliberately take our eyes off our situation, turn to look into His Word, & what He declares about the very situations which seem to be beating us down.

HE is achieving for us through each problem; each situation is temporary but what HE is achieving will last forever 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

We don't have to carry our burdens, we can come drop them at HIS feet by taking each thought to the One Who can handle them all. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Matthew 11:28-30

So just like Kaylee looked to Uncle and found hope and courage, so turn your eyes upon JESUS and HIS promises. HE will never leave you nor forsake you.

hugs

Sharon

taking the stairs one step at a time

A baby coos, then crawls, then walks and then runs.... going from level to level to level.. like you might climb up one stair at a time. It amazes me that in our Christian walk we expect to go from birth to running without the in between steps.

I have been a Christian a long, long time and still GOD will show me things wrong i was not aware of. These things HE wants me to hand to HIM. At times I wondered how could GOD have been using me if this was there all this time?

I have learned that like a baby, GOD views me right with HIM as I am not in deliberate known sin. HE doesn't expect a kindergartener to do geometry.

I find it amazing that GOD can fill and use me and then show me something that was there all the time that was wrong. Then if I turn it over to HIM, HE changes me and then fills and uses me and then shows me something that was there all along that is wrong. Again if I turn it over to HIM HE cleanses and changes me and on and on the cycle.

II Corinthians 3:18 and the HOLY SPIRIT changes is into JESUS' likeness from glory to glory.

So is not being perfect but living up to that which we know that counts for power.

Philippians 3: 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

hugs
Sharon

Matthew 28: 1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for JESUS, who was crucified. 6 HE isn’t here! HE is risen from the dead, just as HE said

Luke 24:34 says, “The LORD is risen indeed!

I have heard that the early church use to greet one another with those words.
One would say, “HE is risen!”
Then another would answer with, “HE is risen indeed!”

What an amazing truth. It is reality, JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the living GOD is alive today sitting at the right had side of GOD the FATHER interceding for us.


As the song goes: Because HE lives, I can face tomorrow, because HE lives all fear is gone. Because I know who holds the future and life is worth the living just because HE lives

Way back when, GOD and the prophet Jeremiah were talking and something very interesting was said I believe it true and applicable for us today.

(Jeremiah was speaking) Your words were found and I ate them and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; Jeremiah 15:16

Jeremiah here declared that he had studied GOD’s word and delighted in it. Because Jeremiah knew GOD’s word well, the LORD a little later could say to him:
Therefore, thus says the LORD,"…if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman.” Jeremiah 15:19

Strange words? Not really. When people, even song writers, convey what they understand the Word of GOD to say there is sometimes a mixture of truth with error. Many, many teach error innocently because they are not aware of the truth. As JESUS told the Sadducees, it is because they do not know the scriptures. And none of us are there yet… we still know in part. But we must stand up a declare that which we do know.

We are to listen and as GOD told Jeremiah, extract truth (don’t throw away the baby with the bath water) from what is worthless (error). You can do that best if you know GOD’s word so take time to read it1

Yesterday, I spoke of an error in an old beloved (by me) hymn. Stating that JESUS was not in the grave on Saturday. But that same song holds much amazing and exciting truth. Just listen and let the Spirit stir you with that truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ErLd-I600o

hugs
Sharon

Was JESUS really in the tomb on Saturday?

I love the old Resurrection hymns. A line from one came to mind as I sat down to write this morning. “Down in the grave HE lay, JESUS my Savior. Waiting another day, JESUS my LORD”

But was HE? Was JESUS really waiting in the tomb on Saturday?

I don’t think so. I believe Scripture shows us that although the rock still sealed the tomb that JESUS HIMSELF was elsewhere.

Ephesians 4: 8 "When HE ascended on high, HE led captives in HIS train and gave gifts to men." 9(What does "HE ascended" mean except that HE also descended to the lower, earthly regions (Hades)? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

JESUS tells us about this place HE descended to in Luke 16. It was a place with an upper chamber of rest and peace (called Paradise) and a lower chamber of heat and torture (Hades)

Why do I think HE was there before Resurrection Sunday?

Because on the cross, JESUS promised the thief who believed, “today (Friday, the day of the crucifixion) you will be with ME in Paradise.” Therefore, JESUS had to leave the tomb and descend to the center of the earth Friday afternoon. For HE is not a man that HE should lie.

What happened when JESUS descended to the center of the earth? HE got the keys of death and hell (Revelations 1:18) and led out the people in upper Hades (Paradise).

In the days of Paul, we are told that Paradise was no longer the upper chamber of Hell in the center of the earth, but rather in the highest (3rd or upper level) of heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 .. caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to Paradise.

In fact, when John was writing Revelations Paradise was already in GOD’s presence. (Revelation 2:7)

When did it happen? When JESUS entered into the heavens with HIS blood sacrifice HE brought with HIM all who were in Paradise and at that time Paradise was relocated to the 3rd heaven.

So Saturday was not a day of repose for JESUS but a very active one. What a Savior we have who ever lives to intercede for us.

Hugs
Sharon

Who Killed JESUS?

Back in the late 80s, I began working on staff at Camp Elim. All new staff who were going to work at camp over the summer had to come for a training weekend (it is now a training week) cause you must know how to work in each area such as counseling, dining room, kitchen, maintenance,ect. for Dan- the director- wanted all of us able to jump in and help if there was an unexpected need come up. Most of the ones at the training weekend were teens and college students and then a few of us older ones. We participated in chapels and had to learn the songs. Most were fun and lively but with a message. Still others were not so lively.

As I read the words to Who Killed Jesus that weekend, I burst in tears as I sang. That song has stayed with me and I want to share it with you... just wished that I could have found a video of it so you could here the music. But here are the words. Especially note the words of the last stanza and last chorus.

Who killed JESUS many years ago? Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did HE have to die? What is the reason why? Who killed JESUS I would like to know?

Was it Hebrew children proud of who they were?
Shouting "CRUCIFY HIM" at their King.
Trading their Messiah for a common thief?

Turning down the kingdom HE could bring.

Who killed JESUS many years ago? Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did HE have to die? What is the reason why? Who killed JESUS I would like to know?

Was it Pontius Pilate, he was governor
Trying to decide that case that day
When he found the Savior had no fault HIS own
Was he guilty when he turned away?

Who killed JESUS many years ago? Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did HE have to die? What is the reason why? Who killed JESUS I would like to know?

Was it Roman soldiers with their tools of war
Driving nails through hands that did no wrong
Mocking and abusing, crowning HIM with thorns
Oh the evidence is very strong!

Who killed JESUS many years ago? Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did HE have to die? What is the reason why? Who killed JESUS I would like to know?

When I think of JESUS and the way HE died
How upon HIM all my sins were lain
All the other people fade away from view
It for me the sacrifice was made.

I no longer wonder any more. I have found what I was searching for
My sin demanded hell, on HIM the judgement fell

It is plain to see, that it was really me.

washing feet?

Once at an all night prayer meeting, I had this crazy urge to go to one of the leaders, to remove his shoes and socks and to wash his feet. It sounded crazy, but at the same time I knew I was suppose to do it.

1st I had to find a container to hold the water – I found a small empty waste basket- and then something to dry his feet with- there were some paper napkins on a table. I was a hesitant, more than a little uneasy but forced myself to step out and wash his feet for I knew I was suppose to do it.

You have had times like that haven’t you? Times when you just knew you were suppose to do something. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that GOD has prepared specific things for us to do

Years later, GOD confirmed HE had nudged me that night when I was reading an article in a magazine by that leader. He spoke of what had happened (not mentioning names) and how he fought within himself to let me do it. (Something I had not been aware of) But he went on to say that GOD used it to speak to him about his need to humble himself and put away his pride. Our simple obedience to those nudges from GOD can have a ripple effect of motivating others to be obedient.

John 13:1-17 Before the Passover celebration, JESUS knew HIS time had come to leave this world and returned to HIS FATHER in heaven. This would be his last evening with all HIS disciples on earth and it was time for supper. HE wanted to show HIS disciples the full extent of HIS love.

Knowing that the FATHER had given HIM authority over everything and that HE had come from GOD and was going back to GOD, HE got up from the table took off HIS robe, wrapped a towel around HIS waist and poured water into a basin. Then HE began to wash HIS disciples feet and wipe them with the towel HE had around HIM. (It was the job of the lowest slave to wash the feet of guests.)

When HE got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Why are YOU going to wash my feet?”
JESUS replied, “You don’t understand now, why I am doing it; someday you will.”
“NO!” Peter protested, “YOU will never wash my feet!”
JESUS replied, ‘But if I don’t wash you, you won’t belong to ME”
“Then wash all of me, my hands and head as well!” Peter exclaimed.
JESUS responded, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet to be entirely clean. And you are clean (cleansed by the word I have spoken to you John 15:3) but that isn’t true of everyone here.” JESUS meant Judas.

After JESUS washed their feet HE said, “You call me Teacher and LORD and you are right because it is true. Since I, your Teacher have washed your feet, you ought to humble yourselves and wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow.. you know these things- now do them! That is a path of blessing

What did JESUS do that day? HE met the basic need of washing the hot and dirty feet of men who walked with HIM.

How can you meet the needs of those you walk with to refresh and encourage them? Go with the nudges, GOD places in your heart. Do that which you know you should do even when it doesn’t make sense.