Saturday, November 25, 2006
Dear Jesus,
Show me what forgiveness looks like. The words of Jesus on the cross really visualize the very essence of forgiveness to me.
Luke 23:34-38
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
NKJV
Jesus had been beaten and was deprived of any human dignity; this was not done because of anything He had done. No, on the contrary it was done as the result of a fallen and utterly lost people. You might say that those words; Father, forgive them were not only spoken for those who physically nailed Jesus to the cross and those who physically mocked Him, I would also say those words were for me and for you. Every sin I committed mocked, beat and put Jesus on that cross.
Father, forgive me for all of my transgressions and my sin of not appreciating the price Jesus paid on that cross. Let my heart forever be grateful to you; for I would not ever see love and life without your precious sacrifice. I love you Lord…
Show me what forgiveness looks like. The words of Jesus on the cross really visualize the very essence of forgiveness to me.
Luke 23:34-38
34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
NKJV
Jesus had been beaten and was deprived of any human dignity; this was not done because of anything He had done. No, on the contrary it was done as the result of a fallen and utterly lost people. You might say that those words; Father, forgive them were not only spoken for those who physically nailed Jesus to the cross and those who physically mocked Him, I would also say those words were for me and for you. Every sin I committed mocked, beat and put Jesus on that cross.
Father, forgive me for all of my transgressions and my sin of not appreciating the price Jesus paid on that cross. Let my heart forever be grateful to you; for I would not ever see love and life without your precious sacrifice. I love you Lord…
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The Ills of the World...
It occurred to me that we as Christians spend a lot of time focusing orspeaking about the sins/ills of this world. We spend a lot of timetalking about the cause and effect of pornography, violent movies, videogames and such. We can place the emphasis on these issues and blame allof the problems in the world on these things. Although the abovereferenced issues are indeed problems, we do indeed need to discussthese issues as well as personal responsibility for our decisions. Ibelieve that if we really want to change the world we need not to pointout all of the problems in the world; instead we need to rightlypreach/teach and share GOD's holy scripture; I can tell you when peoplehave the right understanding of the holy scripture they will know rightfrom wrong. The Bible will divide the truth from error itself. I knowmost of my issues through out my Christian experience was that I waslooking for "fire insurance" and not the true love of GOD; I wanted Hisgrace without personal responsibility and without being transformed intoHis holy image. If we rightly point people to the love and grace ofChrist a righteous life will most definitely occur.
Isa 55:11 NKJV11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;It shall not return to Me void,But it shall accomplish what I please,And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Ps 40:9-10 NKJV9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly;Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,O LORD, You Yourself know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.
Ps 96:2-3 NKJV2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations,His wonders among all peoples.
Isa 52:7 NKJV7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news,Who proclaims peace,Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation,Who says to Zion,"Your God reigns!"
It occurred to me that we as Christians spend a lot of time focusing orspeaking about the sins/ills of this world. We spend a lot of timetalking about the cause and effect of pornography, violent movies, videogames and such. We can place the emphasis on these issues and blame allof the problems in the world on these things. Although the abovereferenced issues are indeed problems, we do indeed need to discussthese issues as well as personal responsibility for our decisions. Ibelieve that if we really want to change the world we need not to pointout all of the problems in the world; instead we need to rightlypreach/teach and share GOD's holy scripture; I can tell you when peoplehave the right understanding of the holy scripture they will know rightfrom wrong. The Bible will divide the truth from error itself. I knowmost of my issues through out my Christian experience was that I waslooking for "fire insurance" and not the true love of GOD; I wanted Hisgrace without personal responsibility and without being transformed intoHis holy image. If we rightly point people to the love and grace ofChrist a righteous life will most definitely occur.
Isa 55:11 NKJV11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;It shall not return to Me void,But it shall accomplish what I please,And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Ps 40:9-10 NKJV9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly;Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,O LORD, You Yourself know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.
Ps 96:2-3 NKJV2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations,His wonders among all peoples.
Isa 52:7 NKJV7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news,Who proclaims peace,Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation,Who says to Zion,"Your God reigns!"
