Some Changes Come Easy
I was reading a book “They thought for themselves” and saw how Jews who felt they were not close to God through rituals and tradition received the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Gladly they received the long awaited Messiah;–Jesus as Savior and their lives were dramatically changed for the better.
Pondering how much difference a small change to the status quo could make; I moved my office stapler. For decades it rested on the counter away from where it is commonly needed. Why does it have to stay where I never use it just because that’s how it always was done? I took the bull by the horns and put the stapler on the other counter. Already it’s a welcome change. Why didn’t I change its location sooner?
Think of the impact some individuals have made in the world because they were flexible enough to adjust to something new. The twelve fishermen that Jesus discipled left their fishing lifestyle and lived lives as Jesus taught them. What if none had bothered to write the events of their time with Jesus? Think of the impact each man’s energies left for generations to come.
Where would we be if Paul had the Damascus road experience, then chose to quietly live out the rest of his days in a country cottage because he was ’saved by faith’? There would have been no need to write the letters to the churches. Our New Testament could have never been penned if some men hadn’t embraced the call to do new things.
Where would we be had Martin Luther not labored in his life to expose ninety- nine errors the church of his day was practicing? People had slipped into following man’s teachings instead of the Bible. Would all those manmade ideas have kept us from receiving God’s forgiveness? Would our lives be flooded with guilt and fear awaiting the mythical purgatory where people supposedly suffered for the sins they had committed?
We have received so much from those who have labored before us. We understand that more than the efforts of man have brought the church to where it is today. The very Spirit of life, holiness and truth within these believers kept all Jesus’ words alive. The Maker of heaven and earth was the first One to utter the word ‘church’. “Who do you say I am? Jesus asked His disciples. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)
Had Peter decided not to continue, ‘church’ would still have come to pass. We see what has made us who we are as we compare the fisherman Peter to the born again Peter of the first and second Peter letters. Wisdom, revelation, holiness, faith, self-control, love—it’s all evident because of the Holy Spirit’s work in him. Look—he even wrote regarding the theory of evolution over a thousand years before Darwin dreamed it up: “…in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires…. They deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.” (2 Peter 3: 4-6) Evolutionists don’t believe in the world wide flood. One Creation scientist, Kent Hovind, says that ‘deliberately forget’ means ‘dumb on purpose.’ Evolution is a Godless philosophy that doesn’t hold up under present day science.
Break free of old habits and philosophies that don’t line up with Jesus ‘ teachings. We are creatures of habit and don’t even consider changing some things. (like the place the stapler sat for years) The Bible encourages us to be flexible and respect Jesus enough to set aside wayward philosophies. Now more than ever we need take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) There are false prophets and cults abounding, following man’s teachings instead of Jesus’. Typically doctrines distorted are: the virgin birth of Jesus, Jesus being Son of God, hell, Holy Spirit, cross, resurrection, idolatry forbidden, eternal life and respect for the Bible. At first sign of false doctrine, speak desire to move to truth. Trust Jesus to lead you to a church that believes the Bible and preaches the Gospel.
Thank God for the individuals who followed Jesus and made it possible for future generations to know what happened way back then. Thank God for those who have fought to keep the church holy. Each change towards Jesus is a step that He will honor and bless.
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A thought on the Love of God
In our culture, an introduction is often followed by a handshake. The person extending his hand is saying “pleased to meet you.” It’s an impulse to shake that extended hand, and next to impossible to resist such a gesture. That’s a good thing. People need to connect. It’s built into us—a basic need is love; it’s the way God made us. The Bible tells us God is love. Jesus says the love of God should be practiced. (Luke 11:42)
The love of God; how could anyone hope to pen this topic? Consider the size of the universe, imagine the One who made it all and realize His hand is stretched toward each person ever created in a gesture of kindness. He’s given a beautiful planet on which to live, interesting plants and animals, and people to love who love us back. He sends rains to nourish the land, and makes sure the flowers bloom. He is perfection. He sees the wrongdoing of mankind and realizes that justice demands punishment. Yet in His love He rather sends a substitute to bear the wrongs and judgment due this creation. He will have mercy and not sacrifice. All the best we can do is filthy in His eyes, yet He says the ‘just shall live by faith.’ If we repent, trust Jesus, and are born again we shall be justified on judgment day. (found to be completely innocent, free from sin charges). Praise the Lord whose mercy endures forever. He has promised an everlasting kingdom where righteousness reigns, mansions, streets of gold, peace and joy. He will personally wipe away every tear. He keeps our tears in a bottle the psalmist says. (Psalm 56:8) Our hard times are especially noticed by Him. He draws closest to the brokenhearted.
To some who have been deeply wounded by loved ones, the love of God reaches to you saying “I will never leave or forsake you. I long to know you, I love you.” We are His precious creations, wonderfully made. Surround yourself with songs about the love of God. Receiving love again is a decision first; then action. Protective walls may have come up around the heart. The love of God bids “Trust Me.” Let the pain out and healing will come in. God is not in a hurry. Take as long as it takes to have Him restore your soul. You will have something great and of eternal value to offer others when you’ve learned to receive and give God’s love. It’s higher than the love of the world offers.
The love of God is available at all hours of the day and night to as many as would speak to Him. He strengthens us when we are weak, makes a way out of every temptation. He never lets burdens be more than we can bear. He knows tenderness, gentleness and can calm the turmoil of life. He’s dependable and true to what He has said. His love upholds us and believes in all we could be. It beckons: “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” God’s love is free and available to all. He doesn’t prefer any one person over another. We are all equally precious, beloved, eternally loved by Him.
Jesus promised that “Whosoever comes to Me, I will not cast out.” We are accepted, never rejected. He patiently waits our whole lifetime if necessary, if we are unsure regarding accepting His offer of forgiveness. (His extended hand awaits our ‘handshake’) He’s done all He can to show us His love. He awaits each person’s response. Nothing is forced, all is freely our decision. We receive by words. Jesus gains us access and power over the kingdom of sin and its penalty. He’s offering a forever relationship and desires a response that is long lasting.
How many people have ever lived? How much wrongdoing has occurred? How much mercy is God extending to us? This song sung by the Daae family helps us comprehend:
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen could ever tell/It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell/ The guilty pair bow down with care God gave His Son to win/ His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin./ The love of God how rich and pure , how measureless and strong/ It shall forevermore endure the saints and angels’ song./ Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made/ Were every stock on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade./ To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry/ Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
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