Tag Archives: hope

Questions. What do you want to ask? part 3

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HE HAS RISEN!!! May this truth be more real than ever to you today.

I hope you have enjoyed the questions we looked at in this blog more closely.

Sidenote…I found it quite interesting that my pastor, today, based his sermon in John 18 and 19. In those two chapters, he looked at three questions that Pilate asked in the presence of Jesus.

If you feel like browsing, here is the link to our church’s youtube channel. As of this writing, I don’t think the Easter message is posted yet but it should be within a day or so.

And this link is to the church website. Central Church

And now on to my last question in this series.

The bible is overflowing with questions. This series could go on for months if we addressed all the questions we read. My pastor’s sermon only had three questions in it.

But I do have a favorite question. Of all of them, one sticks out to me. It resonates with me. I would even say I get equal parts challenge and encouragement from this single question. It has the ability to motivate and drive my life.

All human endeavors are summed up in a single sentence. Why we do what we do is contained in these words.

Are you ready? Sorry, not the question to which I am referring!

Here are the first 8 verses from Luke 24:

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8 NIV

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

I will share a few quick thoughts.

  1. Trust – Jesus said he was going to die and then be raised again. Maybe the ladies didn’t really believe it because he has been in the grave for three days.
  2. Timing – They were planning on anointing the body of Jesus but did not go the day after the crucifixion. It was the Sabbath so they had to wait an extra day. Jesus said three days.
  3. Temporal – This is the part that gets me. The angel said, “among the dead”. How many times do we look for life (happiness, joy, peace, life etc.) among things that are temporal (dead)? Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, Gambling, Job, Relationship, Games, Art, Sleep…or anything else?
  4. Toga – Okay, maybe it wasn’t actually a toga but it started with the correct letter. Jesus was gone and the shroud (toga) left behind symbolizes (at least in my opinion) that Jesus did not need the material things we seek after.
  5. Tomb – Tombs are full of dead things. Our living Savior is not there anymore.

These are the reasons why this question is my favorite. It encompasses all of life. Jesus is life and we can end our search with him.

So there is no reason to go to the tomb.

You can find life in our risen Lord. Jesus is waiting for you to look for him.

24/7/365

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In the USA, yesterday was Memorial Day. This day (going back to the Civil War) is a day when we remember/celebrate/honor fallen soldiers.

These men and women have given their lives in service of this country.

They died so we could be free.

It is fitting that we, as a country, recognize this sacrifice.

Freedom has cost the lives of millions of soldiers throughout the years.

To experience that freedom is somewhat humbling. Even more so because I have never been in the military.

I am certainly not saying that we are perfect and that our country has it all together.

But I am thankful that I am living here.

There is another place that is experiencing freedom as well.

This place has tremendous joy. All of its citizens are perfect.

In fact, there is no crying, pain, or hardships of any kind.

You may have already guessed it but I speak of heaven.

Heaven will be my future home. This home, earth, is just a stop on the road of eternity.

The bible references heaven numerous times. So much so that there is not time in this post to look at all of those passages.

But what I do have time for is to explain why I am going to heaven.

Jesus fought and died in the ultimate war. He is a fallen hero.

His death paved the way for freedom and ultimately, heaven.

That battle is over now. Jesus is not in the grave anymore. He is risen!

The bible explains how Jesus is now in heaven preparing for us a place.

For eternity.

We will be with Him for all of time.

And so when Memorial Day comes around and we honor those who have fallen, let’s not forget the One who died for our spiritual freedom as well.

For those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, everyday is memorial day.

The Ultimate Vaccine

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Grace and mercy are fun attributes to study. Saying that God is graceful just feels good.

His mercies are new every morning. Good thoughts but even better theology.

We love to think about the positive characteristics of God.

He loves us.

Grace and mercy are right along side that love.

What about His faithfulness or kindness?

What about holiness? Surely this trait is no less important that any of the others?

I Peter 1:16 “For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” ” NIV

Peter is quoting Leviticus 11:44-45.

Here are those verses:

“44I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. 45I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” NIV

So why does Peter quote these verses? They speak to the dietary restrictions God has originally placed on the Israelites. Does that apply to me? Today?

God is different than we are. I really didn’t even need to type that sentence. Of course He is!

And that is the point. God is holy.

The Holiness of God | God Speaks I Listen

In a word, holy means seperate.

God is separate from us. The impurity of sin does not come in contact with God because He is separate, or holy.

He is the ultimate vaccine!

Because God is holy, He and sin cannot abide in the same space at the same time.

When you turn on the light switch, the darkness goes away. The light is holy, separated from the dark.

Now, add in grace and mercy. Because God also has these traits, He desires a relationship with us.

His love compels Him to restore relationship with us.

His holiness (and our sin) prevents Him to be with us.

His grace provides a solution to sin.

His mercy envelops us back to Him.

They all work together.

We can holy like God (as Peter was encouraging us to do).

All because God is who He is!

30 Bible verses about God, Holiness Of

Accepting Jesus into our lives is the key.

Our very life depends on it.

Take all of these traits of God and let them roll around in your mind for a while.

God might just be calling you.

God bless you.

H.E.L.P.

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Do you remember this movie?

Image result for walle

It was a Pixar movie that came out in 2008. Here is a link to Pixar’s website about the movie.

I put this one in my top 5 animated movies of all time.

But it was not until I had watched it several times that I realized the name, Wall-E, was an acrostic.

A quote from Pixar’s website proclaims, “WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is the last robot left on Earth, programmed to clean up the planet, one trash cube at a time. However, after 700 years, he’s developed one little glitch…”

I want to share another acrostic with you. H.E.L.P.

As in, God has help available for you and I but it comes in various forms. I took the liberty to use the word HELP and made an acrostic.

Last week’s post, Consider the Source, will give more context as to why I am writing about help.

I would recommend reading that one so what follows will make more sense. Click here.

When God helps us, He does not always use the same methods. If you read the Old Testament, God was super-creative in how He would spare the children of Israel.

For us, that same supernatural creativity has not been exhausted.

The first Help He gives is the Holy Spirit.

Here is verse 7 from John 16: “7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” NIV

Let’s focus on that word, Advocate. If we look a little deeper, we can get a grasp on its meaning.

In a broad sense, think helper, aide, or assistant. The Holy Spirit would replace Jesus. It was his role to lead the apostles (and us-by extension) into a deeper knowledge of God and His truth, and also to provide divine strength when undergoing temptations or persecution.

Trials and tribulations were never meant to be removed but endured. God would not allow us to go up against something alone. He knew we are only frail humans.

But with His help, the Holy Spirit, we can be over-comers! Romans 8 gives us that title.

Volumes upon volumes have been written about the Holy Spirit. Various doctrines center around the third person of the Trinity.

I am not writing on behalf of a specific church or denomination.

I am trying to interpret God’s Word accurately.

And if I am correct, which, by the way, I am confident that I am, the Holy Spirit is right beside me every step along this journey of life.

He is also right by your side.

Let’s continue to walk in stride with Him.

H – Holy Spirit

E –

L –

P –

Call on Him today and enjoy this first Help of God. Good night!

The Letter ‘S’

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I am a big fan of desserts. Chocolate…mint…cream…fruit…donuts! I like just about any thing from the dessert menu. Here is just one tasty looking morsel…

Top 20 No-Bake Desserts | i am baker

If you remove one letter from dessert, you get desert. This picture will not be as appealing,

Desert Precipitation, Plant, and Animal Life

Which one would be more to your liking?

Connection between dessert and desert? You bet there is.

While in church this past week, I had this thought:

Sometimes, you have to go through the desert before you can have the dessert.

Our society and culture is focused on the instant. The now is vastly more important than later.

Ultimately, heaven is the final dessert. For now, we are here on earth living our days.

But this principle of “Now and Not Later” has invaded everything we do. Including, I dare say, our faith.

Food – we use microwaves rather ovens (I am not anti-oven, just so you know)

Money – casinos vs hard work

Sex – instant gratification over building a loving relationship with your spouse

Knowledge – Google search is easier than research or study

Power – strength over temptation without memorizing the Word

Jesus fasted for 40 days before he started his ministry. He was often found praying before the sun came up. He knew the value of going through the “desert”. Now he sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven eating his “dessert”!

God wants our hearts. That takes time. Building an intimate relationship with our Lord can sometimes feel like the desert. Good thing that relationship is based on faith and not feelings!

But God is always worth whatever desert we have to get past to find Him.

There is no shortcut to holiness.

Be encouraged today. God sees where you are. Look to Him.

God bless! See you next week!