I think that it is AWFUL that so many in the Media of Mass Deception are trying to pin blame on Sarah Palin for what that lunatic murderer did during his shooting rampage in Arizona. The following is what I recently wrote on Sarah Palin's FaceBook page:
Dear Sarah,
I heard your heartfelt response to Glenn Beck's letter to you on his radio show today where you denounced violence of any kind towards anyone. Thank you for being the very classy lady that you are and not falling for all the vitriole the rabid leftists spew at you.
I know that Jesus is your "Rock" and your faith in Him gets you through the ugly mess that people often sinfully cast against you. In this world of hateful rhetoric, you stand strong and above it all.
Our Lord loves you, and you love Him. No matter what the haters say about you and/or your family, they can NEVER take away what you and Todd have accomplished.
The Lord must have great things in store for you because the totally undeserved persecution going on against you is spoken of and revealed in the Bible about those who follow the Lord Jesus. I'm sure that through it all, the Lord Jesus is saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
God bless you and your lovely family!
Sincerely,
Christine
Showing posts with label Redeemer's strength. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Redeemer's strength. Show all posts
In 2011: We're to be strong...in the power of His might.
For several years now I have been a subscriber to Dr. David Jeremiah's free Turning Point magazine devotional and a supporter of his excellent ministry. I love the fact that I get the devotional weeks before the next month begins.
In the new January 2011 issue, there is an article that I think is one of the best ever written! I tried to find it online, but the website only has one of the articles published there today.
It would have been so much easier to copy and paste it here. But I will consider it a "labor of love" to type out sections of it so that readers here will get to enjoy it today.
The new devotional is entitled, "Unclaimed Possibilities." Before I share sections of the article, "Claiming the Power," I want to share the last few paragraphs of the last article in the booklet, "Claiming the Message."
In this essay, Dr. Jeremiah stresses that the Bible's message is the same as it has always been. It is good to know that the opportunities may increase and the methods used by Turning Point may change, but THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST never will!
Sadly, I have seen some churches loose the importance of that statement. They become so worldly focused that they are no longer heavenly focused! I like how Dr. Jeremiah puts it:
I wholeheartedly agree! When I witnessed two churches drifting away from the original purposes for their existence, it was truly sad to see. I could no longer support such ministries. It breaks my heart to admit that, but it is true.
I feel confident in supporting Turning Point Ministries because I have the assurance that the message being shared is committed towards Bible truth and the Christ-centered gospel.
Excerpt:
People, it has been my prayer and hope that this little ole' Talk Wisdom blog has been even just a bit of a blessing to each of you. When I first started this blog, it was a little scary. But I soon found out (back in 2004) that I might just be talking to myself! You see, I didn't have ANY comments for weeks! Then, one day a reader posted the first comment.
Over several years I have "learned the ropes" of blogging. I found numerous blogs - many of which were so much more sophisticated than mine - and tried some of the methods that they were utilizing. But still, I didn't have any idea how many people were visiting this blog until I got my counter. Over the past few weeks, there have been hundreds of hits here just using the search phrase, "true meaning of Christmas." How delightful it was to know that in December of 2010, people are genuinely seeking the TRUE MEANING of Christmas - and coming here to read about it!
It is my desire to share more of the essay, "Claiming The Power" in my next blog post. For now, I will share the most important part:
Hat Tip:
David Jeremiah.org
In the new January 2011 issue, there is an article that I think is one of the best ever written! I tried to find it online, but the website only has one of the articles published there today.
It would have been so much easier to copy and paste it here. But I will consider it a "labor of love" to type out sections of it so that readers here will get to enjoy it today.
The new devotional is entitled, "Unclaimed Possibilities." Before I share sections of the article, "Claiming the Power," I want to share the last few paragraphs of the last article in the booklet, "Claiming the Message."
In this essay, Dr. Jeremiah stresses that the Bible's message is the same as it has always been. It is good to know that the opportunities may increase and the methods used by Turning Point may change, but THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST never will!
Sadly, I have seen some churches loose the importance of that statement. They become so worldly focused that they are no longer heavenly focused! I like how Dr. Jeremiah puts it:
The best packaging in the world won't compensate for faulty content. Technological innovations are worthless without an abiding message to communicate.
I wholeheartedly agree! When I witnessed two churches drifting away from the original purposes for their existence, it was truly sad to see. I could no longer support such ministries. It breaks my heart to admit that, but it is true.
I feel confident in supporting Turning Point Ministries because I have the assurance that the message being shared is committed towards Bible truth and the Christ-centered gospel.
Excerpt:
I want to assure you with all the power of my convictions that however quickly our opportunities may increase and our methods may change here at Turning Point, our message never will. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is immutable and imperishable. His Book is infallible and inerrant. The human heart is as sinful as ever, but the blood of Christ will never lose its power to redeem and save lost souls. Heaven and hell are real, and Christ is coming soon. We have a message to preach, a Gospel to share, and millions of lives to encourage.
Sometimes innovation is necessary or else our ministries become museums and then mausoleums. [Note from Christine: I know EXACTLY what he means! I've seen some museum-like churches teetering towards the mausoleum phase!] But when that change weakens the message, the result is a graveyard for evangelism. The historic motto of Youth for Christ was: "Anchored to the Rock...Geared to the Times." It doesn't do any good to be geared to the times if your message slides off the rock. The best packaging in the world won't compensate for faulty content. Technological innovations are worthless without an abiding message to communicate. Timely methods deserve a timeless Gospel for the human heart.,
Our Lord Jesus used every means at His disposal to share His message. He preached and used object lessons like birds, flowers, coins, and even the children He lifted in His arms and sat in His midst. He performed signs and wonders, stilled storms, and turned water into wine. He wasn't showing off. He was using object lessons as only He could use them. On one occasion, He stooped and wrote in the dirt with His finger.
According to Acts 1:1, the Gospel is the account of "all that Jesus began both to do and teach." The 2000-year history of the church is the story of all that Jesus is continuing to do and to teach, using every worthwhile means a His disposal through His people and His church.
I'm not willing to let the devil have full use of all of today's technologies. Why yield an inch to him? Why not claim some unclaimed resources and reclaim the message for Christ? Nationally and internationally, we're committed to exploit every fresh opportunity and get the changeless message of our Lord before more people than ever before in our history.
People, it has been my prayer and hope that this little ole' Talk Wisdom blog has been even just a bit of a blessing to each of you. When I first started this blog, it was a little scary. But I soon found out (back in 2004) that I might just be talking to myself! You see, I didn't have ANY comments for weeks! Then, one day a reader posted the first comment.
Over several years I have "learned the ropes" of blogging. I found numerous blogs - many of which were so much more sophisticated than mine - and tried some of the methods that they were utilizing. But still, I didn't have any idea how many people were visiting this blog until I got my counter. Over the past few weeks, there have been hundreds of hits here just using the search phrase, "true meaning of Christmas." How delightful it was to know that in December of 2010, people are genuinely seeking the TRUE MEANING of Christmas - and coming here to read about it!
It is my desire to share more of the essay, "Claiming The Power" in my next blog post. For now, I will share the most important part:
Psalm 62:11 says, "power belongs to God." According to Psalm 65:6, God is "clothed with power." Jeremiah 10:12 says that God "made the earth by His power." Psalm 66:7 says that He "rules by His power forever."
Luke tells us that Jesus went about His ministry "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38), and people were amazed at His "authority and power" (Luke 4:36). He had power on earth to forgive sins (Luke 5:24), to heal illness (Luke 6:19), to still storms and alter weather patterns (Mark 4:39). He said that all power had been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is declared to be the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). And when He comes again, it will be in "power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).
We can only live for Him effectively when we tap into the infinite source of His power. We're to be strong...in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).
Hat Tip:
David Jeremiah.org
Life and Liberty Hangs in the Balance
Spotted this video presentation of a painting done by Jon McNaughton over at Nice Deb and it literally moved me to tears!
I weep for what we have lost here in America - the deep knowledge of the Bible and the heritage of our Christian faith.
I weep for what we are losing at such an accelerated pace - our freedoms and liberty - due to the tyrannical government we have.
I weep for those who have shoved God and His Son, Jesus Christ, out of their lives.
I weep for those who have never taken Jesus' offer of salvation seriously, and therefore ignore it and do not accept it.
I weep for our children who are now living in an America that I never thought I would ever see in my lifetime. I could go on and on. But most regular readers here could easily add to this list.
However, I also have tears of joy because I know who I am in Jesus Christ. I know that millions of saved Christians also know who they are in Christ and are evangelizing across the globe - including through the vehicle of the Internet.
Jesus told us that a sign of the coming Rapture would be both a falling away from the faith (heresy, apostasy, false religions, atheism etc. -all of which are happening today) as well as the Gospel being spread throughout the world. There has been no time in history - other than the computer age - where the Gospel could literally be spread throughout the entire world in seconds! How many people have read the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in just one day, accepted it and have also accepted the fact that the Word of God, the Bible, is ultimate Truth? We may never know the answer to that question on this side of heaven.
What a beautiful painting! Jesus is the center of the scene, and rightfully so.
Is He the center of your life?
Hat Tip:
Nice Deb
Also see:
McNaughton Fine Art.com
UPDATE!! Just discovered this at the McNaughton website!
Go to this page and run the mouse over the people in the painting to find out who they are and/or what they represent! Awesome!
I weep for what we have lost here in America - the deep knowledge of the Bible and the heritage of our Christian faith.
I weep for what we are losing at such an accelerated pace - our freedoms and liberty - due to the tyrannical government we have.
I weep for those who have shoved God and His Son, Jesus Christ, out of their lives.
I weep for those who have never taken Jesus' offer of salvation seriously, and therefore ignore it and do not accept it.
I weep for our children who are now living in an America that I never thought I would ever see in my lifetime. I could go on and on. But most regular readers here could easily add to this list.
However, I also have tears of joy because I know who I am in Jesus Christ. I know that millions of saved Christians also know who they are in Christ and are evangelizing across the globe - including through the vehicle of the Internet.
Jesus told us that a sign of the coming Rapture would be both a falling away from the faith (heresy, apostasy, false religions, atheism etc. -all of which are happening today) as well as the Gospel being spread throughout the world. There has been no time in history - other than the computer age - where the Gospel could literally be spread throughout the entire world in seconds! How many people have read the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in just one day, accepted it and have also accepted the fact that the Word of God, the Bible, is ultimate Truth? We may never know the answer to that question on this side of heaven.
What a beautiful painting! Jesus is the center of the scene, and rightfully so.
Is He the center of your life?
Hat Tip:
Nice Deb
Also see:
McNaughton Fine Art.com
UPDATE!! Just discovered this at the McNaughton website!
Go to this page and run the mouse over the people in the painting to find out who they are and/or what they represent! Awesome!
True Strength Through Weakness
I have written several blog posts about Dr. David Jeremiah's sermons, books, and devotionals. If you have not started to receive the free monthly devotional, I urge you to go to Dr. David Jeremiah.org and sign up for the monthly magazine. The writings each month are awesome! The articles are biblically based, Jesus centered, and wisdom filled! During this time of trials and tribulation on earth, we need to stay focused on the promises of Jesus and what he informs us about via the Bible. It is most important for us to do what is required of us, as faithful Christian believers, who belong to our Savior, Lord, and King, Jesus Christ.
In the May issue entitled, "The Unlikely," we read about people in the Bible who were humbled and called to do God's work; despite the fact that people who lived during that time might have seen those called as obscure and unlikely heroes. What is amazing is to realize that some who were called were previously mean, crude, selfish, and violent people! For example. The Apostle Paul was previously a persecutor of Christians. When he was humbled and temporarily blinded after his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, we read about his 180 degree transformation!
Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes that God doesn't measure people as we do. He states, "We forget that God isn't looking for the famous but for the faithful."
Another way to look at this is to realize that men look to the outward appearance, while God looks at the heart.
As human beings made in God's image and likeness, we WANT to leave a mark on this earth. We want to achieve significance in life. When we are born again in Christ, we desire to be used by God in a great way.
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
I think that is the key! A genuine born-again Christian who loves Jesus Christ desires to be a servant for Him - not famous in front of others. This requires us to go against the grain of people who are only living "in the world," but do not follow Christ. Their focus is on other things (especially themselves) and not on what Jesus commanded of all believers - to share the Gospel to an unbelieving, sinful, skeptic, harsh, hateful, and selfish world. Jesus warned us that we would be hated because the world hated Him first.
The apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
According to 1 Timothy 1:15, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We are all members of that group! "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Therefore, no one can boast for what they have done on this earth. NOTHING compares - in fact - all else pales in comparison to what Jesus Christ achieved for our salvation at the cross of Calvary. This is exactly the reason why none can boast!
One of the most powerful essays in the May Turning Points devotional booklet is the one entitled, "Last in Line...and Other Unlikely Strengths."
Dr. Jeremiah starts the essay describing why some people love to watch the show "Survivor" while others don't. I must admit, I'm in the "I don't watch it" category! The few times that I have happened to see small portions of it, I didn't like it. I wasn't quite sure why I felt that way, but this essay helped explain it for me.
Dr. Jeremiah shared that the shows motto - "Outwit, Outplay, Outlast" - is not only about friendly competition.
He goes on to describe what goes on in the show - the physical challenges and hardships, the weird food consumed, etc. He writes:
I don't even know how long "Survivor" has been on T.V. However, since we now have a Marxist leader and gangster government in power, the reality show fantasy has now become a scary reality to millions of people who have been protesting and rejecting the out-of-control spending and government takeover of the private sector. They worry about the deficit and the huge power grab of money and wealth that big government is confiscating - all against the will of We The People. If I was a fan of "Survivor" in the past, I certainly wouldn't be one now! The fantasy land of T.V. shows has become a very unfortunate reality. It is scary to see our liberty, freedoms, homeland security, friendships with allies (especially Israel) wealth, and prosperity disappear right before our very eyes! It is getting worse day by day.
I know that many Christians don't agree with Glenn Beck - either for political, social, or religious reasons. However, I think that he is correct to promote non-violence, yet encourage those who are awake to the horrid schemes of this administration to hammer away at the anvil of truth. To do otherwise would be to shirk our Christian duty as Citizens of this great country!
Some Christian friends of mine don't think that Obama and his cohorts are a grave danger to our nation. So be it! They can believe what they want. But I would challenge them to notice the harm being done by this man ever since he took office.
Personally, the first reason that I objected to Obama as a candidate was his pro-abortion position. We all know that the "choice" crowd has no tolerance for the pro-life position. The day I saw Ms. Jehmu Greene being interviewed about the abortion issue on the Fox News Channel, I was shocked at how she deliberately and nastily disparaged pro-lifers while heralding her "pro-choice" position as "good." It made me sick to my stomach! I thought, how could this woman be so blinded by her own progressive ideology?
Contrast Ms. Jehmu Greene's attitude with the late Mother Teresa of the Missionaries of Charity of Calcutta, India. Dr. Jeremiah writes:
Recall when Obama was asked by Pastor Rick Warren on national T.V., "when does life begin?" Obama sarcastically replied, "that's above my pay grade."
I would have LOVED to see Obama's reaction to Mother Teresa's comments at that 1994 prayer breakfast!
Dr. Jeremiah:
The current administration is so blatantly attached to belief in "the kingdom(s) of this world" that our current president actually bows in front of the leaders of other countries! Have you ever seen anything so bizarre?
The acts of clawing their way to the top can be contrasted with another paradox concerning leadership: Jesus said, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
I see the current political climate as a plot to make America weak. You may disagree with me, but that's how I see it. Everything that Obama and Congress has done is not strengthening nor uplifting America and her people. Therefore, it appears to be a deliberate weakening going on for a much more nefarious purpose than many Americans are willing to admit. Many already see through their miserable actions to tear down this nation. The TEA Party Patriots are well aware and have been actively sounding the alarm bells for the rest of America to wake up! Over the past 1 1/2 years, the call for restoring truth, honor and liberty to this nation has resonated with millions more people. Thus, we are seeing how God's Hand in all of this is working. He needed to allow us to be weak first, then we can gain true strength through Him!
Dr. Jeremiah discusses the meek and the weak:
Dr. Jeremiah shares the fact that Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" that was not removed from him, despite his original plea to have it removed. God allowed him to live with it. God gave him grace to live with it: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (verse 9).
During this time of great tumult that is going on in our nation, I believe that God has allowed this "thorn in our side" to remain for a reason. It is difficult, admittedly, to cope with our current situation. But I believe that in His perfect timing, we will realize that God's grace is sufficient for us. Remember, the world defines strength differently than the Word describes it.
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
The world claims that "only the strong survive." What is quite the paradox is that biblically speaking, that is correct! Except, we view "strong" as "spiritually strong."
Dr. Jeremiah explains:
I believe that Christians throughout our nation are praying more fervently and frequently than ever before. We are seeing what is being done to our nation and it seems like We The People are powerless to stop it. We may be temporarily powerless to keep those who would be intent on destroying all that is good in our country; but another day is coming! We are vulnerable - and in a place of weakness where the Hand of God is all that can really rescue us from this travail.
What is God teaching us through all of this turmoil? As Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes at the end of the essay, I think that He is teaching us the unlikely solution to weakness:
In the May issue entitled, "The Unlikely," we read about people in the Bible who were humbled and called to do God's work; despite the fact that people who lived during that time might have seen those called as obscure and unlikely heroes. What is amazing is to realize that some who were called were previously mean, crude, selfish, and violent people! For example. The Apostle Paul was previously a persecutor of Christians. When he was humbled and temporarily blinded after his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, we read about his 180 degree transformation!
Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes that God doesn't measure people as we do. He states, "We forget that God isn't looking for the famous but for the faithful."
Another way to look at this is to realize that men look to the outward appearance, while God looks at the heart.
As human beings made in God's image and likeness, we WANT to leave a mark on this earth. We want to achieve significance in life. When we are born again in Christ, we desire to be used by God in a great way.
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
He's (God) not impressed with degrees or with stars on a so-called "walk of fame." Nor does He need perfect people, just those willing to be servants.
I think that is the key! A genuine born-again Christian who loves Jesus Christ desires to be a servant for Him - not famous in front of others. This requires us to go against the grain of people who are only living "in the world," but do not follow Christ. Their focus is on other things (especially themselves) and not on what Jesus commanded of all believers - to share the Gospel to an unbelieving, sinful, skeptic, harsh, hateful, and selfish world. Jesus warned us that we would be hated because the world hated Him first.
The apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
According to 1 Timothy 1:15, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We are all members of that group! "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Therefore, no one can boast for what they have done on this earth. NOTHING compares - in fact - all else pales in comparison to what Jesus Christ achieved for our salvation at the cross of Calvary. This is exactly the reason why none can boast!
One of the most powerful essays in the May Turning Points devotional booklet is the one entitled, "Last in Line...and Other Unlikely Strengths."
Dr. Jeremiah starts the essay describing why some people love to watch the show "Survivor" while others don't. I must admit, I'm in the "I don't watch it" category! The few times that I have happened to see small portions of it, I didn't like it. I wasn't quite sure why I felt that way, but this essay helped explain it for me.
Dr. Jeremiah shared that the shows motto - "Outwit, Outplay, Outlast" - is not only about friendly competition.
He goes on to describe what goes on in the show - the physical challenges and hardships, the weird food consumed, etc. He writes:
But I don't think those are the main reasons people who love the show watch, and those who don't like it don't watch. It's the way the show's motto is fulfilled by the contestants. It's the strategies and alliance, the wheeling and dealing, the deceiving and double-crossing the contestants employ in their efforts to eliminate their competitors and claim the cash at the end of the show's season.
In other words, shows like Survivor and Big Brother provide the perfect settings for displaying how modern culture views strength: Use any method at your disposal to get to the top of the heap and grab the gold ring. Strength is not about moral or spiritual superiority, it is about superiority at any cost. It is about using anything at one's disposal, including other people, to achieve a stated goal.
I don't even know how long "Survivor" has been on T.V. However, since we now have a Marxist leader and gangster government in power, the reality show fantasy has now become a scary reality to millions of people who have been protesting and rejecting the out-of-control spending and government takeover of the private sector. They worry about the deficit and the huge power grab of money and wealth that big government is confiscating - all against the will of We The People. If I was a fan of "Survivor" in the past, I certainly wouldn't be one now! The fantasy land of T.V. shows has become a very unfortunate reality. It is scary to see our liberty, freedoms, homeland security, friendships with allies (especially Israel) wealth, and prosperity disappear right before our very eyes! It is getting worse day by day.
I know that many Christians don't agree with Glenn Beck - either for political, social, or religious reasons. However, I think that he is correct to promote non-violence, yet encourage those who are awake to the horrid schemes of this administration to hammer away at the anvil of truth. To do otherwise would be to shirk our Christian duty as Citizens of this great country!
Some Christian friends of mine don't think that Obama and his cohorts are a grave danger to our nation. So be it! They can believe what they want. But I would challenge them to notice the harm being done by this man ever since he took office.
Personally, the first reason that I objected to Obama as a candidate was his pro-abortion position. We all know that the "choice" crowd has no tolerance for the pro-life position. The day I saw Ms. Jehmu Greene being interviewed about the abortion issue on the Fox News Channel, I was shocked at how she deliberately and nastily disparaged pro-lifers while heralding her "pro-choice" position as "good." It made me sick to my stomach! I thought, how could this woman be so blinded by her own progressive ideology?
Contrast Ms. Jehmu Greene's attitude with the late Mother Teresa of the Missionaries of Charity of Calcutta, India. Dr. Jeremiah writes:
[She] stood before the most powerful men and women in Washington, D.C. at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994. She pointed out how strength can be misused and illustrated biblical strength, both in the same speech. There could not be a more apt manifestation of weakness - in the world's eyes - than Mother Teresa, given her tiny stature. So tiny that she could barely be seen behind the podium, Mother Teresa shocked the gathered crowd by telling them, "Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love one another but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion." (italics added).
One of the "weakest" women in the world humbled a room filled with some of the "strongest" people in the world with nothing more than truth backed up by a life of spiritual strength and integrity. The contrast between spiritual strength and worldly strength could not have been more pronounced than it was that day.
Recall when Obama was asked by Pastor Rick Warren on national T.V., "when does life begin?" Obama sarcastically replied, "that's above my pay grade."
I would have LOVED to see Obama's reaction to Mother Teresa's comments at that 1994 prayer breakfast!
Dr. Jeremiah:
When we use "any violence" - physical, emotional, interpersonal, financial, moral - to get what we want, we have resorted to using strength according to the world rather than according to the Word. Not surprisingly, strength is a paradox in Scripture, one of many that contrast the kingdom of God with the kingdom of this world.
The current administration is so blatantly attached to belief in "the kingdom(s) of this world" that our current president actually bows in front of the leaders of other countries! Have you ever seen anything so bizarre?
The acts of clawing their way to the top can be contrasted with another paradox concerning leadership: Jesus said, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
Paradoxically, Paul says desiring to lead is a good thing (1 Timothy 3:1). But true leaders are the ones brought to the fore by the Holy Spirit on the basis of their lives of service (Acts 20:28).
[And] there are more paradoxes. We find rest and freedom by voluntarily submitting ourselves to a yoke (Matthew 11:28-29); we find life by dying (John 12:24); we are exalted when we humble ourselves (Matthew 23:12); we become great by becoming small (Matthew 23:11).
Perhaps the greatest paradox of all - and the one we are considering in this article - involves strength: We only gain true strength through weakness.
I see the current political climate as a plot to make America weak. You may disagree with me, but that's how I see it. Everything that Obama and Congress has done is not strengthening nor uplifting America and her people. Therefore, it appears to be a deliberate weakening going on for a much more nefarious purpose than many Americans are willing to admit. Many already see through their miserable actions to tear down this nation. The TEA Party Patriots are well aware and have been actively sounding the alarm bells for the rest of America to wake up! Over the past 1 1/2 years, the call for restoring truth, honor and liberty to this nation has resonated with millions more people. Thus, we are seeing how God's Hand in all of this is working. He needed to allow us to be weak first, then we can gain true strength through Him!
Dr. Jeremiah discusses the meek and the weak:
Would it not make sense that those destined to take over the world, to "inherit the earth," would be among humanity's strongest? Yet who did Jesus say would inherit the earth? The meek (Matthew 5:5). Of course, the world equates meekness with weakness. But consider this: In the King James Version of the Bible, Numbers 12:3 says that "the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." And I don't think anyone would mistake Moses for a weak man!
More modern translations of Scripture substitute "humble" for meek in that verse, which is entirely consistent with the paradoxes of Scripture. Strength comes through humility; strength comes through weakness. And no one learned that lesson more dramatically than the apostle Paul.
[Saul] the strong persecutor, became Paul, the spiritually strong apostle, via the road of weakness.
Dr. Jeremiah shares the fact that Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" that was not removed from him, despite his original plea to have it removed. God allowed him to live with it. God gave him grace to live with it: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (verse 9).
During this time of great tumult that is going on in our nation, I believe that God has allowed this "thorn in our side" to remain for a reason. It is difficult, admittedly, to cope with our current situation. But I believe that in His perfect timing, we will realize that God's grace is sufficient for us. Remember, the world defines strength differently than the Word describes it.
Dr. Jeremiah writes:
So revolutionary was this experience for Paul that it became part of his life message: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians verses 9-10, italics added).
The world claims that "only the strong survive." What is quite the paradox is that biblically speaking, that is correct! Except, we view "strong" as "spiritually strong."
Dr. Jeremiah explains:
There is no way to survive the trial and travails of life without being spiritually strong. And we become strong in the most unlikely of ways: by becoming weak in ourselves and strong in Christ.
I believe that Christians throughout our nation are praying more fervently and frequently than ever before. We are seeing what is being done to our nation and it seems like We The People are powerless to stop it. We may be temporarily powerless to keep those who would be intent on destroying all that is good in our country; but another day is coming! We are vulnerable - and in a place of weakness where the Hand of God is all that can really rescue us from this travail.
What is God teaching us through all of this turmoil? As Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes at the end of the essay, I think that He is teaching us the unlikely solution to weakness:
You may be in a place right now in which you feel particularly vulnerable, particularly weak, particularly defenseless. Looking around, do you view yourself as being the last in line in life? Congratulations! You are right where you need to be to become strong. You are in the only place where true strength can be found. Confess your weakness to God and ask for His grace to become sufficient for you.
An unlikely solution to weakness? Perhaps - but totally consistent with the ways of the "God of the Unlikely."
What Was So Good About It?
Yesterday, I attended the 12 noon Good Friday service at my former church. It is good to be in the house of the Lord to commemorate His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus did what he did for the forgiveness of our sins - the sins we ALL commit and would ultimately die with; staining our souls forever. If not for Christ's greatest act in all of Creation, we would not have any way to be reconciled back unto God.
The pastor asked the question, "What is so good about Good Friday?" After viewing a portion of the movie, The Passion of the Christ where we saw Jesus beaten so severely by the Roman soldiers, and forced to carry that heavy cross to Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull") while the soldiers continued to whip Jesus during the terrible journey; that question has to come into every mind that witnessed such a horrid event.
In previous posts on Good Friday, (see Calvary, Good Friday and The Power of Christ's Cross, I discussed many aspects surrounding the Cross at Calvary and why people who do not yet know Christ, still seek him today:
On a KLOVE radio show back in 2007, the host said, "people fall into two camps; those who know Jesus Christ and those who want to know Him."
Wow. Simple but profound. Even those who won't admit it, still want to know Him. Why? Because to know Him is to know God. Jesus was God in the flesh. That is why it is said in the Bible, "they shall call him Immanuel." "Immanuel" means "God with us."
Some people question why Christ had to endure what he did:
Why was Jesus tortured, maimed, spit upon, beard torn, whipped beyond recognition, stabbed in the side, nailed to a cross, humiliated unto death? Because that is exactly what evil does. God allowed those forces of evil to do what they did in order to send us a message so strong that we couldn't possibly miss it.
The enemy of our souls has the goal of devouring us in our sin. He prowls around like a roaring lion, bringing along with him evil, sin and death. That very thing was conquered by Christ at the cross. Because he was the "sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he accomplished what no ordinary man could ever do. He kept the Law while on earth, then paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not suffer an eternity without him! He was bodily resurrected to life on that first Easter morning approximately 2,000 years ago, and that event changed the world forever.
Why would Jesus endure all of this for us? The Bible tells us, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Put another way through a popular Christian song that plays on the radio (speaking of Jesus' sacrifice), "You would rather die, than to ever live without me."
As I watched the scourging of Jesus, once again, in church yesterday, I was reminded of the fact that what happened and what we witnessed was exactly "what evil does."
Scripture tells us that for a time, God the Father turned His back from His beloved Son as he hung on the cross with our sins laid upon him. It was the only time that Jesus did not call God "his Father" - he yelled out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Forsake means: "to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert" and "to give up or renounce."
God cannot look upon sin. He is Holy and Righteous, so at the moment of humanity's sins being laid upon our Savior, Jesus Christ, God the Father forsake his son.
But look at the second part of the meaning of the word "forsake." It says, "to give up or renounce." Christ's body was given up for our sakes, his blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. His body was terribly bruised, beaten, and bloodied because that is what evil does. The horror of that event is relived each time we see any depiction of the crucifixion. It was a terrible and horrendous way to die.
Look at it this way. Our sins were nailed to the cross. They were buried in the grave. Only Jesus, risen in holiness and righteousness came out of that tomb!
In another scene from The Passion of the Christ, we see Jesus' earthly mother - Mary - rushing to pick up and comfort her son when he had fallen down as a young child. The scene shifts to the current day, where Mary witnesses her son falling under the heavy weight of the cross on his way to being crucified. She runs towards him, wanting to comfort him once again as she did when he was a child. However, Jesus says to her, "Mother, I am making all things new." After he said those very words, he finds the strength to stand up with that heavy burden of a cross and continue on the journey to death. What a powerful moment! It was as if he was saying, 'I'm doing this for you - and for all mankind.'
He was.
That is exactly why he did this.
It is exactly why he WILLINGLY went to the cross - for our sakes.
We know from Scripture that Jesus could have called down legions of angels from heaven to relieve him from that cross. People who witnessed the crucifixion even mocked Jesus, challenging him to prove that he is the Son of God by coming down from the cross!
Mat 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
But if he did that, then we would not have had our sins forgiven. There would be no salvation for mankind, no means of reconciliation between sinful, evil men and Holy, Righteous God. Jesus would have re-entered heaven alone.
Why would Jesus endure all of this for us? The Bible tells us, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Put another way through a popular Christian song that plays on the radio (speaking of Jesus' sacrifice), "You would rather die, than to ever live without me."
THAT is what is so good about Good Friday.
Recall what Jesus said about "this temple" (he meant his body):
Jhn 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Mat 26:61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
He is ABLE! Jesus was, is, and forever will be ABLE to accomplish what no man or angel in heaven could have EVER achieved!
Christ's resurrection from the dead was the greatest event in human history! When Christ arose, he had a new, resurrected body (to show us what our new bodies will be like when resurrected for the Millennium), but with the markings of the scars of the crucifixion (recall, the risen Christ told doubting Thomas to put his hand in his side - where the Roman soldier's spear pierced him after Jesus was dead on the cross) to remind all of heaven who he is and what he has done for the salvation of men.
Recall that the disciple John was the only one who stayed with Jesus at the cross. He was later sent to the island of Patmos, where he was brought "into the spirit" and saw visions of what will occur at the culmination of human history.
Revelation 5 (NLT) helps explain to us why Christ is worthy to break the seals of the scroll in the end times:
Rev 5:1 And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.
Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: "Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and unroll it?"
Rev 5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
Rev 5:4 Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it.
Rev 5:5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, [fn] has conquered. He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals."
Rev 5:6 I looked and I saw a Lamb that had been killed but was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits [fn] of God that are sent out into every part of the earth.
Rev 5:7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.
Rev 5:8 And as he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense--the prayers of God's people!
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Rev 5:10 And you have caused them to become God's Kingdom and his priests. And they will reign [fn] on the earth."
Rev 5:11 Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders.
Rev 5:12 And they sang in a mighty chorus: "The Lamb is worthy--the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."
Rev 5:13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They also sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."
Rev 5:14 And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped God and the Lamb.
NLT Footnotes:
(5:5) Greek the root of David.
(5:6) See note on 4:5.
(5:10) Some manuscripts read they are reigning.
Calvary
Yesterday evening, I glanced through the menu of cable T.V. channels searching for any movies about Jesus Christ. I found one. It was a mini-series called "Jesus" on TBN. Since I have the video of this series, I didn't record it.
I don't know about you, but it seems to me that with each passing year, there are less and less movie presentations on T.V. of portraying Jesus' life, death, and resurrection during the holy days.
I can recall seeing dozens of Jesus movies and Bible epics on T.V. at Easter time during my teen years. Everything from "Ben Hur" to the "Ten Commandments" to "King of Kings" was broadcast between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, there were usually several different movies shown commemorating Christ's crucifixion.
What has happened?
Why do the networks refuse to show these important films anymore?
Late this morning, I watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." This was the fourth time I had viewed the movie, but the first time that I watched it alone. Each time I see it, the message of the cross hits me like a ton of bricks.
It is a movie that I cannot get through without crying. The grief felt by me for my sin which Jesus died for is often to much to bear. I find myself wanting to fast-forward through the scourging and crucifixion scenes - but I do not allow myself to do that.
The term "passion" originally meant "suffering." Today, it is often used as a romantic term related to sexual attraction or activity. But the "passion" of Jesus Christ was the suffering he endured for all of mankind's sins on the cross.
In the beginning of the movie, we find Jesus in the Garden praying to the Father. We also see Satan (appearing in the form of an androgenous being) trying to convince Jesus that taking on the sins of the world is too much for one person to bear. It can't be done.
Isn't that just like Satan? Claiming that the God-Man Jesus can't do the work that God the Father sent him to do. Satan tries the same thing with believers. Recall how he asked to sift Simon Peter "like wheat."
What a great scene it was in the movie to see Satan in his pit screaming and tearing his hair off because Jesus accomplished the goal of redemption for mankind. All of that suffering brought glory to the Father and salvation for all those who believe in Jesus. What a moment!
One of the most touching scenes was when Jesus' mother Mary reached him when he had fallen down while carrying the cross. There was a flashback in the movie to a time in Jesus' childhood where he had fallen and Mary ran to pick him up and to cuddle him and ease the pain. In this instance, there was nothing that she could do but briefly touch his face, look into his eyes, and hear her son say, "Mother, I make all things new."
What a powerful, powerful moment. This time, Jesus was SAVING HER -and all of us from the ravages of sin, evil and death!
As we remember your death at the cross, Jesus, let me say THANK YOU MY LORD AND SAVIOR! There is no greater love than for a man to lay his life down for his friends. Jesus did that. And, he rose again on the third day. He willingly went to the cross, and had the power to take up his life again. The horrible suffering and sorrow of that day turned to rejoicing on that first Resurrection Sunday - just as Jesus had previously told us it would:
John 16:20-22
Jhn 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Jhn 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Jhn 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Previous posts:
The Christ of the Passion
"When our depravity meets His divinity, it's a great collision."
Good Friday
The Power of Christ's Cross
The brutality of Jesus' crucifixion was captured in the film, "The Passion of the Christ." Why was Jesus tortured, maimed, spit upon, beard torn, whipped beyond recognition, stabbed in the side, nailed to a cross, humiliated unto death? Because that is exactly what evil does. God allowed those forces of evil to do what they did in order to send us a message so strong that we couldn't possibly miss it.
The enemy of our souls has the goal of devouring us in our sin. He prowls around like a roaring lion, bringing along with him evil, sin and death. That very thing was conquered by Christ at the cross. Because he was the "sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world," he accomplished what no ordinary man could ever do. He kept the Law while on earth, then paid the penalty for our sin so that we would not suffer an eternity without him! He was bodily resurrected to life on that first Easter morning approximately 2,000 years ago, and that event changed the world forever.
Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
At Calvary's cross, we stand at the crossroads to heaven and hell.
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