Jul
2
What Do You Do with Jesus?
By Julie Cosgrove | Leave a Comment
“When he [Pilate] learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at the time.” Luke 23:7
Pilate did not know what to do with Jesus - he eventually washed his hands of Him. I think he saw Jesus’ quiet eternal power juxtaposed against his fleeting one and it scared him. Herod feared him as well and it came out in mockery and hate. The priests and the scribes were so busy being envious that they missed His purpose. Their set-in-their-ways attitude clouded them from seeing He was who they had prayed so earnestly for- the Messiah.
Today people still do not know what to do with Jesus. Some turn from Him while others embrace Him. Yet His words still hold truth and power. His presence still changes lives. He still brings life to the dead. comfort to the troubled, peace to the anxious. Perhaps the most perplexing thing is that He give us the choice. Sure, the idea of releasing control to Him is scary, but like Pilate recognized, His is eternal. He loves you more deeply and understands you more thoroughly than is humanly possible - just as you are. He gave His life for you and nothing will make Him turn away from wanting a relationship with you.
Is Jesus just a character in a story to you or the story of your life? What do you do with Jesus today? He stands at the door of your heart …waiting.
Dear Lord, You alone are worthy of worship and praise. Continue to teach me to hear Your voice that wishes to guide my life and comfort my soul. Today and every day, let me open my heart to You and invite You into my life to walk beside me and work through me until that day comes when every knee will bow at the sound of Your name. Amen.
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-” John 1: 10-12
Jul
2
Tares in the Heart
By Jan Ross | Leave a Comment
“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:30)
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably just considered a “tare” to be a weed that grows among the wheat, one that can be spotted easily with the eye, and is easily plucked out of the field prior to the harvest. However, in doing a little word study, there are a couple additional attributes of a “tare” that are worth looking at, ones that actually speak volumes into what Today’s Verse is really all about.
Are you wheat or are you a tare?
Wheat is a grain. A tare, however is more than just a weed, it is a false grain. The word tare comes from the Greek word zizanion which literally means darnel or false grain. When the farmer looks at the field, it is nearly impossible to tell the wheat from the tares. They are the same color, the same height, the same shape, grow in the same soil, and from all appearances are the same. It is only upon careful inspection that he can tell the tare from the wheat . . . the false from the genuine.
The Church, unfortunately, has many tares that are growing up amongst the wheat. The difference is that the tares are a false grain . . . they have no substance, no fruit, no purpose for anything other than to fill up space.
Without being so quick to judge others we feel may fit this description, let’s turn our eyes inward to make sure WE don’t fit this description ourselves. Let’s examine our own hearts. Is our love for the Lord genuine? Is our heart right toward God and our fellow man? Are we bearing fruit, or do we just appear to be fruitful? Do we long for sweet fellowship with the Lord, or do we seek after other fellowship? God’s remedy for tares is certainly not something we want to reap in our own lives. If we don’t find true and genuine love and zeal for God in our own hearts, it’s time to get back to the basics and reconsider our relationship with the Lord. Perhaps we’ve thought all along that we were OK, but suddenly we feel that we’re not. Let’s pray and ask God to forgive us for the qualities of a tare we are suddenly aware are hiding in our field.
Dear Father, I have read in Your Word that I can never be good enough on my own merit to gain eternal life and make heaven my home, that Jesus is the only way, that He is the Lord and Saviour of all creation, and that it is by His shed blood that I’m accepted in the beloved. Lord, expose any tares in my heart as I look into the mirror of Your Word. Lord, and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness, and create in me a pure heart. Make my life a sweet-smelling sacrifice unto my Lord Jesus Christ for it is in His name I pray, Amen!
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one”. (Matthew 13:38)
© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved
Jul
1
Coming and Going
By Julie Cosgrove | Leave a Comment
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8
This is one of my favorite verses. If I were a needlepointer or a caligrapher, I’d make a plaque with this saying on it and put it on the my front door. The reason it touches me is it is so packed with truth. I know My Lord is with me to strengthen me for the day when I go out from my home back into the world . I also know He is there when I come home, to give me peace and comfort. But all through the day I am coming and going. He is there as well, now and forevermore.
God is here, there and everywhere. He is in all places and at all times, right in reach of my soul. The hands that created the heavens and the earth are always ready to grab ahold of mine. There is no place I can go from, or come to today that God will not already be there. How awesome is that?
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. ” Psalm 73:23-24
Jul
1
Maintain Good Works
By Jan Ross | Leave a Comment
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:8)
“Be careful to maintain good works.” It matters more than most of us are aware of. One of the quickest ways to ruin our Christian testimony is by not being careful to maintain good works.
Simple courtesies in our daily routines make it possibly for the light of Christ to shine through our actions, giving us an opportunity to impact someone’s life without even speaking a word. Opening the door for others, considerate driving practices, allowing someone with few groceries to take the place in line ahead of us, smiling at strangers on the street . . . there are any number of ways to “maintain good works.”
The other day someone shared with me that they could easily tell people who had a sincere relationship with Christ by their actions. The work God is doing on man’s heart will show outwardly; it will be profound in many ways.
Take a reading of your personal “good work meter” and see how you measure up. Did you cut off a driver because you were in a hurry? Did you push your way to the counter ahead of someone without regard to those around you? Have you walked down the street making eye contact and smiling at passers-by? Check yourself and do it often. Make sure your good works are communicating to others that you are different. Don’t fall into the trap of treating the world as the world treats you; set a higher standard for your life so the love of Christ will show through every word, every deed, and every step you take.
A quote commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi sums it up: “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”
Let your good deeds tell the story of the abounding love of Jesus Christ loud and clear.
Father, I must repent. My attitude, my actions, my motives are so often selfish, preferring myself rather than preferring others. Lord, teach me to consider my ways every moment of every day, looking for every opportunity to do good works that will reflect the good work You have done and You are doing in me. Lord, open my eyes and let me see the needs of others so I can do whatever is necessary to minister to them through my actions. Father, teach me to preach the gospel through my good works which will glorify You. Help me to remember that sharing the Gospel when my deeds and actions don’t testify to Your goodness is fruitless. Let my life reflect the change You have made in me. In Jesus’ name, for His glory, amen and amen!
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved
