I recently saw the movie, The Guardian, with Kevin Costner. It was about the Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmer program. Their moto, "So Others May Live," describes the reason behind why they put their own lives in danger on every rescue. It is a selfless, sacraficial life these men have chosen, "So Others May Live."
Jesus Christ, our Guardian, chose to freely lay His life down on the cross so, "All might live." This selfless, sacraficial act defined the reason for His life as well, "To die for our sins, that we might not perrish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
The Truth
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Betrayed By A Kiss
Judas, a disciple of Jesus, a friend, someone who walked and talked with our Lord and witnessed His ministry and miracles, chose to betray Him with a kiss. (Matt.26:48,49)
I’m sure we could all look back on our lives and point to some situation where we have felt betrayed. If we only knew beforehand, we could have taken steps to ensure our protection from that breach of trust.
Jesus knew of His betrayal. He mentioned it frequently (Matt.17:22, John 13:21) and even identified his betrayer and did nothing to protect Himself, even though it would lead to His death.(John 13:26) Why? Because He came into this world for one purpose, to die for our sins. (John 12:27) The “betrayal by a kiss” was only the beginning of what He knew was coming and would endure for us, despising the shame.
The Truth
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
I’m sure we could all look back on our lives and point to some situation where we have felt betrayed. If we only knew beforehand, we could have taken steps to ensure our protection from that breach of trust.
Jesus knew of His betrayal. He mentioned it frequently (Matt.17:22, John 13:21) and even identified his betrayer and did nothing to protect Himself, even though it would lead to His death.(John 13:26) Why? Because He came into this world for one purpose, to die for our sins. (John 12:27) The “betrayal by a kiss” was only the beginning of what He knew was coming and would endure for us, despising the shame.
The Truth
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Two Thieves
In Luke’s Gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus, he records some of the conversation between the "two thieves" who were crucified along with Jesus. One blasphemes and mocks Jesus (Luke 23:39) while the other comes to believe in Him. (Luke 23:40)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocence’s. (Luke 23:41) - Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions.
One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42)
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How?
The Truth
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocence’s. (Luke 23:41) - Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions.
One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42)
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How?
The Truth
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
God's Gift
Jesus came to this earth, by Gods' plan and design.
The place of His birth, marked by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.
So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hand.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.
One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.
Chris Kinder 10'
What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future. By accepting it, you will find eternal life - by rejecting it, eternal darkness.
The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
The place of His birth, marked by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.
So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hand.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.
One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.
Chris Kinder 10'
What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future. By accepting it, you will find eternal life - by rejecting it, eternal darkness.
The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Greater Purpose
When I was growing up as a child and got into trouble while my dad was at work, my mother would sometimes tell me, "go into your room and wait there until your father gets home." Boy that was a long agonizing wait. I usually found my self running different versions of the crime through my mind to determine how I might get off with a lesser punishment. One time I even stuck magazines in my britches. There was no question I was going to get it, it was just a mater of, how bad was it going to be.
When dad got home I could always hear him and mom talking before he came in to deal with me - and he always gave me a chance to tell my side of the event. But it usually ended with those famous words, "I have to punish you now son and this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you." I never understood that until I became a dad. Inflecting pain on your own child for a greater purpose never feels right when your doing it.
Can you imagine how God must have felt? Our heavenly Father sending His Son to be punished for the sins of all mankind. Jesus suffered and died the death of the cross, the most painful, agonizing death imaginable. Why? Why allow it? For a greater purpose - the redemption of all mankind.
The Truth
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
When dad got home I could always hear him and mom talking before he came in to deal with me - and he always gave me a chance to tell my side of the event. But it usually ended with those famous words, "I have to punish you now son and this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you." I never understood that until I became a dad. Inflecting pain on your own child for a greater purpose never feels right when your doing it.
Can you imagine how God must have felt? Our heavenly Father sending His Son to be punished for the sins of all mankind. Jesus suffered and died the death of the cross, the most painful, agonizing death imaginable. Why? Why allow it? For a greater purpose - the redemption of all mankind.
The Truth
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Unexpected Surprises
Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Even though illness, afflictions, problems and “situations” may seem to be all around us…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.
Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. Joseph summed it up beautifully in speaking to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
When our situations seem to difficult to handle, we need to remind ourselves that God has a plan. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more than that. The fact that we have a problem is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions to us. When the test is completed, we come out, stronger in faith, more useful to Him, and ready………for our next test.
The Truth
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. Joseph summed it up beautifully in speaking to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
When our situations seem to difficult to handle, we need to remind ourselves that God has a plan. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more than that. The fact that we have a problem is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions to us. When the test is completed, we come out, stronger in faith, more useful to Him, and ready………for our next test.
The Truth
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Friday, October 28, 2011
Your Eternal Location
The Bible tells us that, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) This means we all have that appointment - Death is a certainty. The statistics are unchangeable; 100 out of every 100 have died....which makes some people fearful of death because of the unknown - their eternal location.
The child of God knows what to expect at life's end. At our physical death, we will be changed. Our physical body will die and decay into dust because we live in corruptible bodies - but, as the apostle Paul wrote, "This corruption must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51) We will be changed! As the bible says, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him." (1 John 3:2)
Jesus said, "In my house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Here Jesus is telling the believer that they will enter into the eternal existence with God.
For the the carnal man death is just as certain but, the location of eternity is different. The Bible says this concerning the unbeliever, "The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) Yikes! Hell is a real place and is reserved for the unbeliever. Revelation 20:15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire."
There is no escaping death nor the events that will follow for your soul. The only question is, Where will your soul spend eternity?
The Truth
"He that believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
The child of God knows what to expect at life's end. At our physical death, we will be changed. Our physical body will die and decay into dust because we live in corruptible bodies - but, as the apostle Paul wrote, "This corruption must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51) We will be changed! As the bible says, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him." (1 John 3:2)
Jesus said, "In my house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Here Jesus is telling the believer that they will enter into the eternal existence with God.
For the the carnal man death is just as certain but, the location of eternity is different. The Bible says this concerning the unbeliever, "The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) Yikes! Hell is a real place and is reserved for the unbeliever. Revelation 20:15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire."
There is no escaping death nor the events that will follow for your soul. The only question is, Where will your soul spend eternity?
The Truth
"He that believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Eternal Life Is a Gift
Recently a colleague at work passed away in his sleep. It was very unexpected and caused many people to reflect on life, death and eternity.
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:2)
Wages are something you earn for work done – they are a payment owed to you for actions. God told Adam in Eden about the wage for eating the forbidden fruit – death (Gen 2:16-17) Just as Adam sinned, so have we all. We all deserve our wages, every bit of them. But...a gift of eternal life was given. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place for our sins. (Matt 20:28; John 3:16) Hallelujah!
All you have to do is accept the gift.
The Truth
"Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for His unspeakable gift." (II Thess 2:13)
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:2)
Wages are something you earn for work done – they are a payment owed to you for actions. God told Adam in Eden about the wage for eating the forbidden fruit – death (Gen 2:16-17) Just as Adam sinned, so have we all. We all deserve our wages, every bit of them. But...a gift of eternal life was given. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place for our sins. (Matt 20:28; John 3:16) Hallelujah!
All you have to do is accept the gift.
The Truth
"Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for His unspeakable gift." (II Thess 2:13)
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