Posts

To have Communion with Jesus

Image
  The word “communion” by itself means “an act or instance of sharing, intimate fellowship or rapport”. For the Christian, Communion means this and so much more. The sharing of intimate fellowship with God can come at many times during our day. It should come as we pray. It should come as we read the Bible. It should come when we talk about Godly things with our friends or when we are enjoying His creation by taking a walk. Because of the Holy Spirit, we are always able to commune with God at any time. Jesus makes this quite clear in His message to the Church of Laodicea – 20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) The sharing of a meal is an intimate experience. Not only are we doing what we have to do to sustain our own life, we are doing it with someone else and they are probably eating the same food you are. What you are putting into your body, they are p
Post a Comment
Read more

Last Supper or Last Passover?

Image
  We misname the last meal Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion. We call it The Last Supper when it really should be called The Last Passover. Why? Because Jesus actually says so -  14  And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.  15  And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  16  For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 22:14-16) Notice when Jesus says He will not eat "it" in verse 16, He is referring to the Passover meal. Why is this important? Well, we have to remember what Passover is. It is the celebration of God passing over the houses of the Children of Israel who had the blood of the lamb over their door sparing their first born sons but killing the first born sons of those who were not covered by the blood of the lamb.  This 10th plague, the Passover, is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Remember, a foreshadowing event is al
Post a Comment
Read more

Must You Know Jesus By Name?

Image
The Bible says in Romans 10:9 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. What about those people who lived before the crucifixion or lived in places where they never heard of Jesus, are they all condemned? I do not think so. Romans 6:10 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.  And  Hebrews 7:27 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.  “Once for all” is a pretty definitive phrase said in both these passages. But if these other people never heard about Jesus, how can they believe like it says in John 3:16? Paul answers this in  Romans 1:19-20 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divi
Post a Comment
Read more

What Christmas Really Means

Image
  “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was first shown in 1965. The most remembered part of the 25 minute cartoon is the speech by Linus, the resident philosopher of the Peanuts. Interestingly, it almost did not get into the final cut as the networks were very concerned that the public would not be comfortable with the Bible being quoted – especially by a cartoon character. However, Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts, insisted on keeping the Bible verses saying, “If we don’t, who will?” Here's the clip. Here are the verses Linus quotes: Luke 2:8-14 8  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  10  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savio
Post a Comment
Read more

The Christmas Spirit

Image
  As the old song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and it is. There is really no other season that means so much to so many people. Even those who are unfamiliar with Christmas season quickly get caught up in the spirit of the season when exposed to it – and I am not talking about the presents. Even those who are not “religious” or even nominally Christian enjoy this time of year     There is a special feeling of families gathering, enjoying each other and giving gifts. Thanksgiving is very special and very important, but it lacks the act of giving which Christmas brings. However, the two together work beautifully as it is so important to give thanks for what we have and then share that with others.   But what is it that makes the season so special that for a month out of the year, so many in the world have a slightly different outlook than usual? Why do so many people understand what is meant by the “Christmas spirit” we see depicted in feel-good Christmas movies?    
Post a Comment
Read more

Reflections on Gratitude

Image
When God comes through for you the sense of gratitude you feel – or should feel – is immense. Arguably the sense of gratitude should start at the moment of salvation. When you have been saved from the condemnation of this world through faith in Jesus, your thankfulness should be out of this world. If you truly understand what you have been saved from, then nothing else can come close. Sometimes we only look for the big, audacious miracles or instances in our lives where we can point to and say to others, “Look at what God does”. However, by being a little more soft-hearted and open, you will see beautiful “smaller” miracles, joy, gifts, doors that were opened or shut that are all the work of God. This is why it is so important to keep a soft heart so we can recognize the many movements of God in our lives. But we are soldiers of the God of Creation who loves us more than we do ourselves. Like any loving father would do more for his children other than providing half the necessary
Post a Comment
Read more

Taming the Tongue

Image
    How many times have you said something and then immediately wanted to take back what you said? Unfortunately, there is no delete key for spoken words. Often, it happens in moments of passion and emotion where we let our words get ahead of our brain and we wish we could be anywhere else in the world.   Our tongues can be so useful and helpful. We can educate, instruct, entertain, uplift, encourage and help people with our words.   We can also insult, condemn, put down, hurt, lie, discourage and injure people with our words which come out of the same mouth as the good words.   The tongue can be a mighty weapon which can be used for good or bad and the consequences, both good and bad, sometimes far exceed the initial intent of the words.     Two other points need to be made before we go into the Bible verses. First, there are times when words need to be used as a weapon. Secondly, the hearer of the words has a responsibility to have grace and understanding – to a certain degree.     T
Post a Comment
Read more