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1 Corinthians 6:9-11             It is a well-known fact in the parenting and teaching literature that children will tend to fulfill the expectations made for them.  If a child is encouraged to do well and are told they have talent and are praised for their work, then they will develop a healthy view of themselves and will persevere in life.  If a child is never encouraged, and constantly put down and never praised, they will develop a negative view of themselves and find themselves on the road to mediocrity and even failure.  Perspective is important.             This brings us to how we view ourselves as Christians.  We hear the lessons and read the texts - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ( Romans 3:23 ).  John reminds us that even after being baptized  that we still sin - “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” ( 1 John 1:8 ).  So, then, Is there no difference between those outside of Christ and those in Christ?  Are we all just broken humanity?  Or does perspective matter?             If you are a Christian, are you just the same as the guy who gets plastered every weekend at the local bar?  Or the woman who racks up credit card debt because she wants the best and wants more?  Or the businessman who cheats his clients out of their money?             Of course you’re not!  But has it been drummed into our heads for so long that we are sinners, that we carry that view of ourselves around like a weight around our necks?  How do we see ourselves?               Paul wanted the church at Corinth to have the proper perspective on themselves.  After pointing out some of their own blatant failures (sins), he reminds them of a whole list of “unrighteous” who will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But then he writes this: “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  You are now different.             Cleansed and forgiven; set apart to God; declared righteous; all this in the name of Christ and through the Holy Spirit.  This is you!             Why were so many letters addressed to “the saints” and not to  “the broken sinners?”  Hmmm?  How do you see yourself?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Acts 1:6-11             What would you do with five minutes with Jesus?  Suppose He appeared at your door one evening and asked to come in.  It was just the two of you there in the room.  Take a minute or two and give it some thought.             Did you prostrate yourself?  Kneel?  Or did you forget to show reverence to God?  Perhaps you were too stunned to do anything.  Or did you start filling the air with your questions and requests?             “Lord, what happened in 2019 when I lost my job?  It sure was a hardship on us.  We still haven’t fully recovered.”             “Lord, I don’t understand this thing about suffering.  Especially when some people just seem to get a never-ending dose of it while others don’t seem to have much trouble at all.  You know?”             “Lord, why do some parts of your word seem to be so difficult to understand?  Could you shed a little light on ...?”             “Lord, we could sure use...”             Or did you wait for Him to speak?  Did you listen intently and hang on His every word?  Did you savor the sound of His voice?  Did you observe His face as He spoke?  What did it  say?             Did you look at His hands?  See the scars?  They were there.  What did you think when you saw the very scars of which you had read and pictured in your mind so many times ... the scars which set you free and gave you life?             As you sat there in His presence did the actuality of His being real and alive flood your soul with overwhelming joy and calming peace at the same time?  Then, the time was gone, and Jesus got up to leave.  Did you want Him to go?  Did you want to go with Him?             Maybe we misunderstand the disciples.  They stood gazing into heaven after Jesus had ascended, and we don’t quite understand their reaction to His leaving in such a way.  Perhaps it was at this very moment they realized just how much they loved their Lord, and they could hardly bear the thought of His leaving them?             What about your five minutes with Jesus?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 13:53-58             Everywhere Jesus went He amazed people.  His words were authoritative, uplifting, and went deep into the heart.  They reverberated with truth.  His miracles were powerful and indisputable.  His healings were genuine and unprecedented.  He feared no man.  He sent His questioners away with more questions, but welcomed the children into His arms.  He challenged the self-righteous, but forgave sinners.  His hometown was offended at Him for they knew Him as “the carpenter’s son,” and His brothers and sisters were there with them.  Without legitimate dispute, Jesus of Nazareth has been and still is the most influential person who has ever lived.  How could this be?             Jesus held no PhD or even a high school diploma, yet He was called Teacher.             He attended no Bible college nor school of preaching, yet He knew the word of God inside out.             He owned no grain fields nor vineyards, yet people called Him Lord and Master.             He had no permanent home but never lacked a place to sleep nor food to eat.             He was not a doctor nor did He dispense medicines, but the crowds came to Him to be healed.             His words were both uplifting and challenging, and His expectations were demanding, but He never lacked for followers.             He won no military campaigns, yet He was welcomed as a conquering hero.             A king, a court, a governor and a whole array of biblical scholars were all confounded by Him.             He committed no wrong nor crime, but He was put to death as a criminal.             They sealed His body in a tomb, but He came back from the dead.             He commanded no armies nor navies yet overcame the powers of this world and now rules the nations.             Just who is this Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter’s Son?                                                             ><>  Jeff

2 Peter 3:17-18             Discipleship is a learning and doing process.  The Word of God styles this in many different ways: putting off the old and putting on the new; going on to perfection; growing into a mature man; bearing fruit, et al.  Even after a certain level of maturity is achieved, the learning and growing is not to stop.  A disciple can become Christ-like but never achieve the incomparable perfection of the Master.             Peter urges his readers (Note: no singling out of the babes from the mature) to avoid being carried away into error by continuing to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  In what areas do you need to keep growing?  Where are you deficient?  I know that I have areas in which I can do a lot better.  If we’re honest, each one of us can still be learning...   >                    ...the wonders of God’s creation. >                    ...my great need for prayer to my heavenly Father. >                    ...to put other people before ourselves. >                    ...to put people before things. >                    ...to trust God with my life. >                    ...to be a better servant. >                    ...the depth of the love of Christ. >                    ...when to speak up and when to keep silent. >                    ...the blessedness of being in the kingdom of God. >                    ...what to say when I do say something. >                    ...how to be a better husband or wife or parent. >                    ...how to stay focused on the spiritual and things above. >                    ...to love God wholeheartedly. >                    ...the wonders of the Word of God. >                    ...about what makes people do what they do. >                    ...how better to love other people. >                    ...to worship from the depths of my soul. >                    ...not to pre-judge other people. >                    ...to use the gifts God has given to me. >                    ...what we still need to learn.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ecclesiastes 12:11             Here we go with another installment of the sayings and quotes I’ve assembled over the years.  Learn, ponder, smile and be blessed!   >                    Excuses are lies in camouflage.   >                    Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.                                                 – Ralph Waldo Emerson   >                    Every day is a gift.  Be thankful.   >                    Never get so busy making a living that you don’t have time to make a life.   >                    What gets your heart gets your energy and your resources.  Whoever has your love has your service.                                                 – Jim McGuiggan   >                    It isn’t enough to have Christ in your life; you must have your life in Christ.   >                    A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.   >                    ...if we want to do something for God, instead of focusing on our capability, concentrate on our availability...                                                 – Nick Vujicic   >                    The devil has one basic rule: hurt somebody.   >                    Doing little things adds up to great things in the kingdom.   >                    Never be ashamed to admit you were in the wrong.  It’s just another way to say you are wiser today than yesterday.                                                               ><>  Jeff

Matthew 28:1-10             On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection there was a lot of activity and excitement.  Besides Jesus’ rising from the dead (which no one observed), a great earthquake occurred when an angel of the Lord came and rolled the stone from the tomb’s entrance.  When the women came and encountered the angel they became afraid, but their fear mixed with joy when they learned of Jesus’ resurrection.             As instructed by the angel, they were on their way to tell the disciples when Jesus met them.  He also instructed them to go tell the disciples that He was alive and that they should meet Him in Galilee.  In John’s gospel, it appears that Mary Magdalene made two trips to the tomb, and he records some of the conversation which Jesus had with her.  That same evening, Jesus appeared to the eleven and showed them His wounds.  At first they were startled, thinking they had seen a spirit, but then they rejoiced when they understood it was the Lord.             It was an exciting time.  To say that the eleven disciples and the others then understood the whole meaning of Jesus’ return from the dead would be incorrect.  This didn’t happen until fifty days later when the Holy Spirit came upon the twelve and began revealing the truths of all these things to them.  But they were all amazed and overjoyed that Jesus was back with them.  Jesus was alive again!             When we read in the gospels of Jesus’ resurrection, are we filled with the same joy which thrilled those disciples?  I’m not sure that would be possible since we did not personally experience Him and all these events.  But we believers should have a deep and abiding joy in knowing that our Savior, this Jesus to whom we have pledged our lives, has indeed come back from the dead.  His resurrection shattered the silence of the grave, broke the bonds of Hades and opened the door to a glorious future for humanity with God Himself!  That’s incredible news which should continue to thrill our hearts.             Yes, I know that we’ve all heard this before.  But we should not let this become just some old, stale church teaching.  Death has been beaten!  Jesus is alive, and He’s coming back.  That’s good news. That’s great news!  That’s exciting news!!                                                             ><>  Jeff

John 3:20-21             Jesus taught the importance and absolute necessity in knowing truth: “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ( John 8:31-32 ).  As a result, we search the word of Christ, the Bible, to know what that truth is.  We search to know the word of God, the doctrine of Christ, and the truth of the Spirit.  We have developed that desire to know the truth, and well we should.             However, in our diligent search to know the truth, we must realize that truth has a purpose.  Truth isn’t simply knowledge to be accumulated, but action in which to be engaged.  Truth is for doing.  Jesus said as much in His discourse in which He declared God’s love for a lost world ( John 3:16 ).  He went on to say that Light had come into the world and that those who practiced evil would shun that Light while those who practiced truth would come to it.  (The NKJV has “But he who does the truth...)  Sermons and Bible studies are necessary and Christ-honoring, but when we don’t put into practice what we learn, we just show our insincerity and the idols in our hearts.             If we learn the truth to love our neighbor, but never lift a finger nor give a dollar to help anybody, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth to forgive each one who has wronged us, but still harbor grudges and bitterness, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth that the Lord calls us to assemble around His table on the Lord’s Day with other believers, and we regularly choose to do other things during that time, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth that slander and gossip are evils but we continue to engage in such talk, have we done the truth?             If we learn that we need to pray regularly and do our own study of Scripture, but do neither of those things, have we done the truth?             If we learn that Christ wants us to spread the gospel to the lost and to bring back erring sheep, and we never make any attempt to do those things, have we done the truth?             Truth is for learning and also for doing.                And that’s the truth!                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 16:13-16             Somewhere near Caesarea Philippi, Peter made what we call the great confession about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus affirmed that he spoke the truth.  It was a watershed moment for Jesus and the disciples - even for the entire world.  The Messiah had come, and God had been recognized to be among men.  What a glorious moment!             Throughout scripture, Jesus is given numerous names and titles: Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, the Alpha and the Omega, the Son of Man, Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb of God - the list continues, long and impressive.  As we acknowledge like Peter that all of these names (and more) are rightly given to Jesus, I want us to consider something more personal for each one of us about Him.  Who is Jesus to you?   Does anything come to your mind?  Let me illustrate...   >                    Jesus is my hope. >                    Jesus is my joy. >                    Jesus is my encourager in difficult times. >                    Jesus is the One whom I love more than any other. >                    Jesus is my peace within. >                    Jesus is my protection without. >                    Jesus is my daily bread. >                    Jesus is my example in all things good. >                    Jesus is my strength when I want to quit. >                    Jesus is my armor when the devil attacks. >                    Jesus is my comfort when I hurt. >                    Jesus is my wisdom when I can’t figure it out. >                    Jesus is my shepherd when I need a guide. >                    Jesus is my light when I’m groping in the dark. >                    Jesus is my companion throughout the day. >                    Jesus is my Lord when I don’t want to. >                    Jesus is the One who hears my prayer in the night. >                    Jesus is the love in my heart.                                                             ><>  Jeff

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