Remember the fig tree that was cursed by Jesus? Well, the disciples and Jesus again passed by the tree and found it withered away to its roots. Good old Peter pointed out to Jesus what He had done as if Jesus wouldn't believe that His words would be so powerful.
It is as if Jesus replied to Peters' observation by saying:" You want to see power? I'll show you power! This is how you can have my power." It was then that Jesus spoke words that had the power of dying words, teaching words that simply spoke the message Jesus came to give.
"Have faith in God." Jesus spoke the most powerful of these words at the onset of this teaching moment. He is God! He is telling all of us to have faith in Him, trust and believe.
He then tells us that there will be challenges, like mountains, we need to overcome. They can be removed just like the fig tree dried up: Words, spoken in faith, believing in and trusting God will hold power to remove the obstacles to having faith in God.
Again, Jesus tells us that if we ask in prayer and believe we will have faith.
Finally, Jesus wraps it all up with forgiveness. He asks us to forgive anything and everything so that the Father will forgive us. This, too, takes faith.
Jesus teaches us that to find faith in God we must remove any obstacles by speaking our belief, praying and finally forgiving. What a beautiful lesson to learn under a cursed tree: Have faith in God.
God, You are the place where our faith begins and ends. It is taught at the foot of a tree You cursed for our sakes. I humbly thank You!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Cleaning House
Jesus spent one of His last days before His death cleaning house. It wasn't even His house technically. It was His Fathers' house. I am not certain I would be doing that as one of my last acts but He thought it very important.
After His night in Bethany Jesus traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem and saw the mess that was there. He took authjority over it and demanded that the mess be cleaned up before He died. He was one with the Father in setting right the purpose of the Temple.
There soon would be no need for further sacrifices. He would be the sacrifice. Soon the Temple would be moved into the hearts of His followers. He would send His Holy Spirit to live in them.
As I read these words I am aware that this is an act of a condemned man. He would soon take on all our sins, be tortured and die so that not only His Fathers' house could be clean but each of us could be made clean.
Father, You wanted Your house to be a house of prayer. Certainly Jesus also wants His Holy Spirit dwellings to be houses of prayer. You have cleansed us, You have made us holy and You have done it all with passion, authority, determination and love. You deserve my cooperation. May I always welcome Your cleansing.
After His night in Bethany Jesus traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem and saw the mess that was there. He took authjority over it and demanded that the mess be cleaned up before He died. He was one with the Father in setting right the purpose of the Temple.
There soon would be no need for further sacrifices. He would be the sacrifice. Soon the Temple would be moved into the hearts of His followers. He would send His Holy Spirit to live in them.
As I read these words I am aware that this is an act of a condemned man. He would soon take on all our sins, be tortured and die so that not only His Fathers' house could be clean but each of us could be made clean.
Father, You wanted Your house to be a house of prayer. Certainly Jesus also wants His Holy Spirit dwellings to be houses of prayer. You have cleansed us, You have made us holy and You have done it all with passion, authority, determination and love. You deserve my cooperation. May I always welcome Your cleansing.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Week to Live
What would you do if you had only a week to live?
In the gospel of Mark we are told that Jesus came to Jerusalem knowing He would die. He was celebrated as He rode in and went to the Temple. He simply looked around and then left to go to Bethany with His twelve closest friends.
The next day He left Bethany to return to Jerusalem and stopped at a fig tree because He was hungry. Because there were no fruit on the tree He cursed it.
This story seems so insignificant for someone who is about to die, but in Gods' way I am certain that this act was done with great emotion and authority. Jesus was in control of the situation. He had the power to make figs appear, but He didn't. Within this simple story can we see Jesus revealing a truth that He expects us to be what we were created to be, and to bear fruit in being? He was not pleased that His beloved creation was bound by sin. Sin had made a great divide between the creation and the creator.
Revelation 22:2-3 tells us that in the new Jerusalem the trees will bear fruit each month. Could it be that Jesus saw the real purpose for the fig tree? Did He look past this week and long for the fruit that would be available to Him whenever He wished?
When we enter Gods' Kingdom through baptism, we should begin to bear fruit that never goes through a season. So, shall we repent from saying that we are just going through a season? I think so. In heavens' economy our fruitfulness is eternal, not seasonal.
Father , You are the vine dresser. You prune and cut away that which does not bear fruit. You see potential in each of us, and yet we fail You. It hurts to be pruned, Lord, but You do it all in love and with great care for our best. I offer up my fruit for Your enjoyment.
In the gospel of Mark we are told that Jesus came to Jerusalem knowing He would die. He was celebrated as He rode in and went to the Temple. He simply looked around and then left to go to Bethany with His twelve closest friends.
The next day He left Bethany to return to Jerusalem and stopped at a fig tree because He was hungry. Because there were no fruit on the tree He cursed it.
This story seems so insignificant for someone who is about to die, but in Gods' way I am certain that this act was done with great emotion and authority. Jesus was in control of the situation. He had the power to make figs appear, but He didn't. Within this simple story can we see Jesus revealing a truth that He expects us to be what we were created to be, and to bear fruit in being? He was not pleased that His beloved creation was bound by sin. Sin had made a great divide between the creation and the creator.
Revelation 22:2-3 tells us that in the new Jerusalem the trees will bear fruit each month. Could it be that Jesus saw the real purpose for the fig tree? Did He look past this week and long for the fruit that would be available to Him whenever He wished?
When we enter Gods' Kingdom through baptism, we should begin to bear fruit that never goes through a season. So, shall we repent from saying that we are just going through a season? I think so. In heavens' economy our fruitfulness is eternal, not seasonal.
Father , You are the vine dresser. You prune and cut away that which does not bear fruit. You see potential in each of us, and yet we fail You. It hurts to be pruned, Lord, but You do it all in love and with great care for our best. I offer up my fruit for Your enjoyment.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
Did you shout praises to God today? Did you rejoice in His greatness and triumph? What will you do tomorrow?
Yes, tomorrow comes and the routine falls back into place for most of us. We seldom take time to sing Gods' praises or even whisper an alleluia throughout the day.
My friend Will is stricken with MS. It has affected his vocal cords and so he is unable to9 speak much, but the words he uses are praise to God. He does not waste his precious few words in complaint, questions or idle chatter. He simply says "Alleluia"
I am convicted that many of my words could be seen by the Most High God as fruitless and even harmful. Today I did shout my praises like the people shouted out "Alleluias" to Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Tomorrow I must not forget who He is or I may find myself following the crowd to Golgatha shouting "Crucify Him!" Everyday must be focused on Jesus' Kingship over my life.
Most High God, Your praises are to be shouted every day. You alone deserves the constant adoration from my lips. Let it be so!
Yes, tomorrow comes and the routine falls back into place for most of us. We seldom take time to sing Gods' praises or even whisper an alleluia throughout the day.
My friend Will is stricken with MS. It has affected his vocal cords and so he is unable to9 speak much, but the words he uses are praise to God. He does not waste his precious few words in complaint, questions or idle chatter. He simply says "Alleluia"
I am convicted that many of my words could be seen by the Most High God as fruitless and even harmful. Today I did shout my praises like the people shouted out "Alleluias" to Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Tomorrow I must not forget who He is or I may find myself following the crowd to Golgatha shouting "Crucify Him!" Everyday must be focused on Jesus' Kingship over my life.
Most High God, Your praises are to be shouted every day. You alone deserves the constant adoration from my lips. Let it be so!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
To all Blogger Friends
I must let you all know that I am trying to make comments on your blogs. Either it is my computer, the connection, or the website makes no difference. I have written and pushed the submit button only to find that all has been lost and my voice of agreement or encouragement has not been heard by you.
Now, there have been a few that have been posted, but I think the majority have been lost in the inner space of my computer brain. I will keep trying. I thought it would be nice to know that your words are heard and I do care enough to respond, or at least try to!
Father, Your children have much to say to each other but sometimes communications fail us and we feel so alone in our thoughts. Help us to be like You, full of patience and kindness, forgiving the times when we don't hear what we want to hear. Teach us to listen to Your voice and be satisfied with the whisper in our ear that You are pleased with our efforts. Bless my fellow bloggers and let the true words they write be sent far across the globe for Your glory!
Now, there have been a few that have been posted, but I think the majority have been lost in the inner space of my computer brain. I will keep trying. I thought it would be nice to know that your words are heard and I do care enough to respond, or at least try to!
Father, Your children have much to say to each other but sometimes communications fail us and we feel so alone in our thoughts. Help us to be like You, full of patience and kindness, forgiving the times when we don't hear what we want to hear. Teach us to listen to Your voice and be satisfied with the whisper in our ear that You are pleased with our efforts. Bless my fellow bloggers and let the true words they write be sent far across the globe for Your glory!
Friday, April 3, 2009
In a Minute
We all know that our lives can change in just one minute. Accidents, diagnosis of a serious illness, a relationship broken. These examples all seem to be circumstance driven. What about the changes we can make by our choice? It only takes a minute.
Have you ever heard of the "Would you rather..." game? You ask each person questions like would you rather be a fish or swing on a star? The person answering must be truthful for this to be an insightful game. In playing this game I think of questions that look down the future and ask things like, "Would you rather be a martyr for your beliefs or be carried away in the rapture?" It is quite obvious what most of us would choose, but do we really understand that a relationship with God gives God the right to interrupt our plans any time He wishes?
The one moment of God speaks to us, directing us down a certain path He has planned, could be a defining moment in our lives. Whatever the path, we can be certain it will be an adventure beyond our imagination if we embrace it fully. God does want the very best for us. We can trust Him. Our job is to respond and follow Him down the path marked with our name written in His blood!
Eternal God, who is timeless and all knowing, each of my minutes are in Your hand when I choose to allow You to be my Lord. Teach me to number my minutes as well as my days so that i might live a life fully in Your presence!
Have you ever heard of the "Would you rather..." game? You ask each person questions like would you rather be a fish or swing on a star? The person answering must be truthful for this to be an insightful game. In playing this game I think of questions that look down the future and ask things like, "Would you rather be a martyr for your beliefs or be carried away in the rapture?" It is quite obvious what most of us would choose, but do we really understand that a relationship with God gives God the right to interrupt our plans any time He wishes?
The one moment of God speaks to us, directing us down a certain path He has planned, could be a defining moment in our lives. Whatever the path, we can be certain it will be an adventure beyond our imagination if we embrace it fully. God does want the very best for us. We can trust Him. Our job is to respond and follow Him down the path marked with our name written in His blood!
Eternal God, who is timeless and all knowing, each of my minutes are in Your hand when I choose to allow You to be my Lord. Teach me to number my minutes as well as my days so that i might live a life fully in Your presence!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Fool for Christ
I've been reading Erwin McManus' book "Uprising." It has given me much to think about. The book takes a look at the character of God and what we as Christians need to know about following in His footsteps of character.
Integrity is one of those qualities God has asked us to live out in our lives. It is being the same on the outside as we are on the inside. It is being the same with all people, not changing who we are or what we think depending on who we are with at the time. Not easy when we are flawed. Showing our weakness as well as our strengths makes us vulnerable.
That is where being a fool for Christ comes in. To show Christ to the world we must live with integrity. It takes convictions that we cannot compromise. When we open up our true selves to the world holding strong convictions that reflect God we become fools for Christ.
Now that is the kind of fool I want to be! And this is no April Fool!
Amazing God, there is no foolishness in You, yet the world is fooled into thinking it is hopeless to believe in You. Today, I want to be Your fool, letting the world see You through my actions and words. I seek the integrity that You have.
Integrity is one of those qualities God has asked us to live out in our lives. It is being the same on the outside as we are on the inside. It is being the same with all people, not changing who we are or what we think depending on who we are with at the time. Not easy when we are flawed. Showing our weakness as well as our strengths makes us vulnerable.
That is where being a fool for Christ comes in. To show Christ to the world we must live with integrity. It takes convictions that we cannot compromise. When we open up our true selves to the world holding strong convictions that reflect God we become fools for Christ.
Now that is the kind of fool I want to be! And this is no April Fool!
Amazing God, there is no foolishness in You, yet the world is fooled into thinking it is hopeless to believe in You. Today, I want to be Your fool, letting the world see You through my actions and words. I seek the integrity that You have.
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