Search Results

Matthew 27:37-44             One aspect of execution by crucifixion was its shame and humiliation.  The one to be crucified was led through the streets by the execution squad - a type of parade.  The charges against the man were displayed and onlookers would yell taunts and curses at the condemned.  The crucifixion was public.  Crowds came to watch the condemned suffer and die.  In the case of Jesus, many of His detractors taunted Him and yelled abuses while He hung on the cross.  The soldiers, the rulers of the Jews, the chief priests and scribes, even some of the people reviled Jesus in this way.             If you are the Son of God ... If you are the Christ ... If He is the King of Israel ...  “let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.”               Just who was that on the cross?   *                     He was the Babe laid in a manger. *                     He was the son of Mary. *                     He was the answer to Gabriel’s prophecy. *                     He was Immanuel. *                     He was the carpenter from Galilee. *                     He was the Man who spoke like no other man. *                     He was the Man who healed every person brought to Him. *                     He was the Creator of all things. *                     He was the Word of God. *                     He was the promised Seed who would crush the serpent’s head *                     He was God’s suffering Servant. *                     He was the King of the Jews. *                     He was the Light to the Gentiles. *                     He was the Lamb of God. *                     He was the Savior of the world. *                     He was the longed-for Messiah, the Christ of God. *                     He was the Son of Man. *                     He was the Son of God. *                                                         HE WAS GOD!          And He still is!                                                                 ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 1:1-14             Many parents have the tendency to “spoil” their children.  This can be done in several ways from withholding discipline to giving them everything they ask for.  Parents need to strike a good balance with their kids in these things so they become neither pampered and dependent nor bitter and resentful.  It’s not an easy task.             God, of course, is the perfect Father.  So we should take note of how He deals with His children.  Take giving for example.  Just consider how much God has blessed you.  Your life itself is a gift from God.  From there we can consider family, health, abilities, job, wealth, home, et al.  These are all truly marvelous gifts from our Father.             Now consider some of the spiritual blessings.  Paul writes of these in our text and is making no attempt to enumerate them all.  Would it even be possible for him to do so?  These blessings are “in the heavenly places in Christ.”  This means that though we enjoy them here and now they are of a spiritual nature and preserved by God safe from this world’s grasping hands.  They are “in Christ,” secured by Christ and only available through Christ by being part of His body.             “He chose us in Him” - deliberate act on God’s part             “before the foundation of the world” - speaks of God’s purpose for humanity and plan to accomplish it             “we would be holy and blameless before Him” - Seriously?!  True grace             “adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself” - part of His family with privileges             “redemption through His blood” - a terrible price paid and by Whom?             “forgiveness of our trespasses” - Totally gone!  More grace.             “an inheritance” - Are you kidding?  Is this for real?             Paul writes that Christians have been given these things “according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”  Is God spoiling us?  Or is He telling us both how much He loves us and how truly dependent we are on Him?  Hmmm?             Too much grace?  Evidently God doesn’t think so.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Hebrews 9:27-28             In today’s day and age, God has truly blessed humanity with great advances in medical science.  He has given us the knowledge, skills and elemental materials through which we can cure many illnesses, correct defects in the body, replace parts which are wearing out or gone missing, enable people to live with chronic conditions - the list is remarkable.  Much misery and pain are being eased or eliminated, and lives extended.  The medical community is truly a great blessing.             Yet, despite all of these advances and wonders of medicine, one stark fact remains - the mortality rate for the human populace remains at 100%!  Medical research has not found a cure for death, nor will it ever do so.  There is no cure to be discovered!   The cause of death is not physiological, but spiritual.  Paul wrote: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” ( Romans 5:12 ).             Only the Great Physician  has the “cure” for death.  He will not keep us from death but offers a way to overcome it.  All men are appointed “to die once,” but Jesus has dealt with the real cause of death.  He carried the sins of all humanity in His own body on the cross in making a one-time sacrifice to God for all people.  That sacrifice needs never be repeated (in any form), nor can it be since Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father in His new spiritual body.  His sacrifice is effective for all time ( Hebrews 10:10, 14 ).             Since He Himself was without sin, Jesus was resurrected from the grave by His Father having overcome death and Hades.  He was the first fruits from the dead, paving the way for all those who would have faith in Him and become His disciples.  Jesus stands ready to return at the appointed time to judge the world in righteousness.             But the appointment with death still remains for each one of us.  If you have already died with Christ Jesus in the water grave of baptism (Romans 6:3-7) and are serving the Lord, you need not fear death’s appointment.  However, if you have not done that, what hope do you have for the other side of death?

John 20:30-31             John wrote his gospel  with an intended purpose, and he tells us what it is.  It is actually two fold.  First, he has written of Jesus’ signs so that those reading about them will “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”  We are all familiar with signs.  Signs give information, identify and point to things or places.  So it is with the “signs” performed by Jesus.  They are often called “attesting miracles.”  The fact that Jesus did these things which set aside the laws of nature and countermanded the normal course of life indicated or pointed to the fact that He had the power or authority over such things.             Now let’s ask some questions.  Who has power to instantly turn large jars of water into fine wine?  Who can take five loaves and two fish and feed 5000 hungry people until they are full?  Who can give sight to a man who was blind from birth?  Who can raise a man to life who has been in the tomb for four days?  The only reasonable answer is the God  who brought all these things into existence and retains such power over His creation.             Through these signs (and more), then, John wants his readers to see that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God.  Christ is reference to the long awaited Messiah of Jewish promise and prophecy - the Anointed One.  Additionally, this Jesus who is called Christ is none other than the Son of God - God in the flesh.  Thus His power to perform these marvelous signs.             The second part of John’s purpose is something which has been God’s desire from the very beginning ( John 12:50 ).  John wants his readers to have “life.”  The life to which he refers is life eternal, life beyond the grave, life with Jesus in glory.  It is a gracious gift from God which tells us of His love for all humanity.  This life is only available through faith in Jesus and by obeying His word.             John is convinced that what he has written in his gospel is enough to bring a person to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  He doesn’t think anything else is necessary.  Have you read his gospel?  All of it?  What do you think?  John wants you to have life.  So does the Father.  So does Jesus.  What will you do?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 5:43-48             The Lord God is truly amazing.  His love is beyond our comprehension, and His willingness to bless and forgive often leaves us with our mouths hanging wide open in astonishment.  Even as Jesus was being nailed to His cross He was saying: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:34).  We all appreciate that our God is like this, but then we begin to squirm some when the word comes to us: “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Perfect, of course, means complete, mature, whole.  As disciples of Christ, we are to walk as He walked.             Tall order?  Yes.  Impossible?  No.  If Jesus says to do it, then we can do it with His help.  Here’s some appropriate examples:   >                    Some people won’t appreciate what you do for them.  Do it anyway. >                    Some people will misunderstand your motives for helping them.  Help them anyway. >                    Some people will keep hurting you no matter how kindly you treat them.  Keep forgiving them anyway. >                    Some people will try to take advantage of your generosity.  Be generous anyway. >                    Some people will ridicule your belief in God’s Word and your teaching it.  Keep believing and teaching anyway. >                    Some people will try to find fault with anything you do.  Do it anyway. >                    Some people will disappoint you again and again.  Keep praying for them anyway. >                    Some people will exhaust your patience with them.  Be patient anyway. >                    Some people will betray you.  Keep loving them anyway. >                    Some people will knock you flat and kick you while you’re down.  Keep getting up and doing good anyway.               “...be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ecclesiastes 12:11             Here’s another sampling of the sayings and quotes I’ve collected over the years.  Ponder, learn, smile and be blessed!   >                    Sin is like a credit card: Enjoy now; pay later.   >                    Not everything that’s true is science.   >                    “If God can’t handle tomorrow then He can’t handle today.”                                                 – Jim McGuiggan   >                    If you don’t know what to do, you can’t be a disciple.             If you don’t do what you know, you’re not a disciple.   >                    Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.   >                    Don’t be afraid that your life will end; be afraid that it will never really begin.   >                    We’re concerned with how things turn out; God seems more concerned with how we  turn out.  – Philip Yancey   >                    No pain, no gain.  Or in other words: no adversity, no maturity.   >                    Two wrongs don’t make a right; they just make a mess.                                                 – Annie Lane   >                    Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.   >                    You may not be able to be what you want to be, but you can be all that God wants you to be.     – Woody Biggs                                                               ><>  Jeff

Matthew 26:33-35 , 69-75             We have all experienced failure - some minor mess ups and some major disasters.  Here are some thoughts in dealing with failure.   Failure doesn't mean - "You are a failure," It means - You have not succeeded.   Failure doesn't mean - "You accomplished nothing," It means - You have learned something.   Failure doesn't mean - "You have been a fool," It means - You had a lot of faith.   Failure doesn't mean - "You don't have it," It means - You were willing to try.   Failure doesn't mean - "You are inferior," It means - You are not perfect.   Failure doesn't mean - "You've wasted your life," It means - You have a reason to start afresh.   Failure doesn't mean - "You should give up," It means - You must try again.   Failure doesn't mean - "You'll never make it," It means - It will take a little longer.   Failure doesn't mean - "God has abandoned you," It means - God has a better way for you.                                     – via Mikey’s Funnies               Peter failed the Lord miserably but recovered to be one of the leading apostles.  Don’t let failure stop you; use it to invigorate you!                                                             ><>  Jeff

Acts 26:24-29             One of the main differences between Christianity and other religious faiths is that it is objectively verifiable while others are not.  Let me explain.  The visit of Jesus the Son of God to the earth was done in real time in a real place in a real body.  Jesus, the carpenter’s son, grew up in Nazareth.  He was seen in Capernaum, Cana, Nain, Samaria, Jericho, Bethany, Jerusalem and countless other places.  People of all walks of life heard Him teach, conversed with Him and witnessed His miracles.  Those who were healed of some infirmity became walking witnesses  to Jesus’ healing power.  Much of what He did, said and taught was recorded by and through eye witnesses.             When this Jesus of Nazareth was tried and put to death by order of Pilate, a great crowd was present.  His death was verified by His enemies.  His burial place was not obscure.  He was seen alive after His resurrection by hundreds ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ).  As Paul said to King Agrippa, “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.”  God had nothing to hide - in fact, He wanted all the world to see and hear His Son so they would have opportunity to believe in Him and be saved to life eternal.             Contrast all of this with other religions (some of which even call themselves “Christian”) who lean heavily if not exclusively on things which no one else can verify.  They have seen visions and dreams, and have mystical encounters with God or spirits.  They enter caves and emerge with an entire holy book from God.  An angel pays them a visit and gives them special plates with new revelations from the Almighty.  None of these happenings are verifiable.  You must simply take someone else’s word for what they say happened.  When there is such a lack of proof or evidence, it makes for an extremely shaky and dangerous foundation on which to build one’s entire life - and one’s life to come.  Extremely shaky indeed!             On the other hand, Jesus’ whole life is an open book.  It can be checked out by people even today.  Have you?  So, what do you think?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 4:32             Kindness seems to be something which is lost on today’s world.  Even in the church, the need to be kind is often not preached nor practiced.  Kindness is a part of the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22 ).  It is the second thing mentioned by Paul when he tries to describe love ( 1 Corinthians 13:4 ).  Obviously, kindness, for God, is a very important part of a Christian’s way of life.             Could you define kindness?  It’s not easy.  It’s one of those things which is probably better observed than defined.  So let’s look at it in a kind of reverse way, from the standpoint of the individual.   Nobody likes...             ...to be taken for granted.             ...to be left out or overlooked.             ...to be treated like they don’t matter.             ...to be lied to.             ...to be lied about.             ...to be ignored.             ...to be talked about behind their back.             ...to be forgotten.             ...to be pushed aside.             ...to be considered unimportant.             ...to be taken advantage of.             ...to be second guessed.             ...to be publically embarrassed or laughed at.             ...to be treated unfairly.               “Be kind to one another...”  Being kind is part of how we love other people.  It does take some effort.  It requires some positive action, some from the heart consideration.             In speaking of God, Paul reminds us ( Romans 2:4 ) of the “riches of His kindness” and “that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”  As God has shown great kindness to us, let us be kind to one another.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Psalm 62:1-8             God is truly amazing in His dealings with us people.  He enters into covenants with us, His creation, and makes personal promises to the human race.  He invites us to pray and ask Him to bless us and take care of our needs.  It is easy when God is so “accommodating” to begin to think that He is our personal servant who will come running as soon as we ring our little bell.  We must always be careful not to presume upon the graciousness of God and be mindful that He is the Eternal and we are the dust.             Moses was summoned by God to come up onto Mount Sinai and receive the law on the stone tablets ( Exodus 24:12-18 ).  He took Joshua with him, but only Moses approached near to God.  As Moses climbed up the mountain, a cloud came down and settled on the mountain top - the glory of the Lord.  It would seem that under such circumstances Moses would have been eager to hear from God and even talk with Him.  But God had called for the meeting, and He was in no hurry.  God never seems to be in a hurry.  The Lord, apparently, had additional purposes in mind for this get together.             For six days Moses waited in the cloud for a word from God - six days!  We get upset when we wait for 45 minutes in the doctor’s office.  When our spouse is 30 minutes late coming home from work.  When the preacher talks 10 minutes longer than usual (5 minutes for some!).  Six days!   And not a word from God.             What does a person do for six days in a cloud of glory of the Lord while waiting for Him to speak to you?  Worship.  Meditate.  Humble oneself.  Learn.  On the seventh day, God spoke to Moses.             So after we have brought our petitions, supplications, and prayers to God, we must wait for His response.  God will not be hurried.  He has the best perspective on all things.  He has already been working on an answer.             What do we do while we wait?  Worship.  Meditate.  Humble ourselves.  Learn.  On the “seventh day” , God will answer.             Be sure your ears are tuned for the voice of God.  Oh, and be sure to wait in silence for sometimes God speaks in a whisper.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Isaiah 40:26             There is something “different” about lying on your back in the grass and looking up into the sky.  Do you remember doing this as a child?  On a summer day we would lie on our backs in the yard and watch the clouds roll across the sky.  We looked for images in the cloud formations, and on the right kind of day with the right kind of clouds the number of images which kept forming was amazing.  One I still remember to this day was a fully rigged, three-masted sailing ship.  No, I’m not kidding.  It was incredible!             On a clear, warm summer night, we would spread a blanket on the ground and watch for shooting stars.  (Meteors, if you will, for the scientific minded, but shooting stars for those more poetically inclined).  The sky would usually accommodate us with several sightings - a sudden spot of light, a bright slash across the sky and then gone.  What still amazes me to this day is that they make no sound.             We tried to identify constellations - the big dipper and Orion were easy.  On some nights we could count the seven sisters.  But this I still remember, too.  At times, you would just stare deep into the blackness between the stars and wonder - How far does it go?  Is there anything else out there?  It always gave me a kind of eerie feeling and even made me feel a little afraid.  There was this sense of being so small.        I have come to believe that these are all “God things.”             God has designed this universe (at least in part) to put a sense of awe into us, and He has designed our hearts to so respond to His creation.  When we look up and truly see and ponder the vastness of the cosmos and the glories of the sky, we shall be struck with this sense of wonder above and this feeling of our own feebleness below.             No doubt David experienced much of this when he was out tending the sheep on the hillsides.  Is it any wonder that he wrote: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him...?” ( Psalm 8:3-4 )?             Try to do some looking up in the very near future.  You might be amazed at what you see!                                                             ><>  Jeff

Christianity is about perspective. God is working everywhere, all the time. Yet, many people don't see it. You have to be willing to look for God if you want to see what He's doing. But if you are, He'll show you. In my short time in the ministry, I can't tell you how many times I've already made some variation of that point. To others, and to myself. To non-Christians, it's shockingly easy to dismiss God's works as chance and coincidences. Even to Christians, it's exceptionally easy to get caught up in wondering where God is or why He isn't doing what we expect Him to. I struggle with this as much as anyone. So, I want to share an experience with you that opened my eyes to how God can communicate with us. This was something that God showed me when I was willing to stop and listen to Him, even if He still had to get my attention first (like I said, I'm still learning this myself). At the end of last semester, I was stressed. Finals had just finished. God had answered my prayers, my grades were what I had hoped for, and I could finally call it quits until graduation a few days later (where I play in the band). Despite that, I couldn't relax. God had been actively working in my life, and everything had worked out right, but I still couldn't let myself breathe. In my mind, there was still so much to worry about. “One of my closest friends is graduating. I'm starting an internship in a few weeks. I still need to learn to drive! What's my friend group going to be like next semester? What about our Bible study?” and on and on. I tend to spiral like that. I decided that I needed to get out of my own headspace. So, I took a walk. I grabbed my earbuds, turned some music on, and walked out the door. It was early evening on one of the few nice days we get in May. As I walked, I came to a spot on campus I had never seen before. It was just a nice little group of trees and underbrush behind one of our bigger buildings. But what caught my attention was the birds. Mind you, I had earbuds in listening to music, and I heard these birds as clear as day. It was beautiful! So I stopped. I stopped walking. I stopped the music. I just stopped and listened. After a moment, something occurred to me. Ina way I can't quite explain, I got the impression that God was trying to show me something. So, I started back on my walk and did what anyone who wants to talk to God should do. I started praying. As I walked, I prayed about everything that was on my mind. I laid it all out before God. All of my worries and all of the things I wanted answers to. Everything I could think of. As I wound down my list, something else happened. I reached the top of a hill. As far out as I could see into the distance, I could only see trees. It was a nice view, but most people wouldn't think much of it (myself included). But as I stood there, I once again had a weird thought/feeling. As best as I can put it into words, it was along the lines of “As far out as you can see is God's creation. God plans our futures the same way. He has them laid out as far as the eye can see.” This wasn't a booming voice from the Heavens” or any such thing, but I've also never been so sure that a thought I've had wasn't mine. By all accounts, all I had done was look at some trees. Yet, I stood there in awe of God. As I turned to walk back, I began praying again. But this time, it was to thank God. For everything that He had done for me that semester, and for what He was showing me now. Then, I stopped one more time with a final observation. I was now looking back at the university. I saw man's creation of buildings, roads, and sidewalks. But, among it all were grass and trees. Even where man had tried to cover it, God's creation encompassed it all. So I had the thought: Our lives are the same then, right? No matter what Satan and the rest of the world do in our lives, it's all on God's earth, within His plan, and within His power. Now, I want to be clear. I'm not going to claim that anyone who goes on a walk will receive a message from God. Or even that I was “spoken to”, “singled out”, or that I could recreate this experience. But I think it proves a point. I went searching for God and I found Him ( Matthew 7:7 ). I saw God's glory in His creation ( Psalms 19 ). I was reassured that He had a plan for me ( Jeremiah 29:11 ) and that nothing happens outside of God's control ( Lamentations 3:37 ). I left for that walk with many questions and many worries. While I came back with no specific answers, every concern had been alleviated. I knew God was in control, and that was all I needed. So, I'll leave you with this: If you want to hear from God, He'll be more than happy to talk to you. But you have to be willing to get out of your own way to listen and look for His response because it often won't be the answer we want or expect. But it *will* be the one you need. Most people on that walk would have heard birds and seen trees. I found God. You can, too! ( Ryan Zumpano is a member of the Shadyside Church of Christ, a student at West Liberty University , and a Leader for Cru - Christian Campus Ministry).