“Now all the tax-collectors and notorious sinners were crowding around Him to listen to Him. And so the Pharisees and scribes continually grumbled, and said, “This fellow is welcoming notorious sinners, and even eating with them.”” Luke 15:1-2 “This man receiveth sinners.” KJV “He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals!” Weymouth translation Despised of the religious leaders, Jesus nevertheless persisted to company with those hated. Unintentionally, these uppity Scribes and Pharisees provided for current readers a precious commentary — “This man receives sinners.” Jesus invited sinners into His presence. The simplicity of Jesus’ actions provides definition to our application going forward. We are to tell how, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men’s transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation” .2Corinthians 5:19 Think about it: “Christ was the offended party,…
Healing at the Cross Posts
“Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.” ― Phyllis Diller A joke? Yes. By a famous comedian and told laughingly. However, anger reveals a huge plague in the souls of many. It’s a pit which drags us in to it over and over. Some Bible verses are telling: “A soft answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs_15:1 “A meek tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.”- Proverbs_15:4 “A wrathful man stirs up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.”- Proverbs_15:18 Here’s some outside the Bible quotes: “The best fighter is never angry.”― Lao Tzu “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”― Ambrose Bierce “Anger … it’s a paralyzing emotion … you can’t get anything done. People sort of think it’s an interesting, passionate, and igniting…
We have received grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 By faith we have access into this “gift of Christ” wherein we stand. Romans 5:2 This “gift of Christ,” in us, equals the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God…Gal 2:20 Herein is our love made perfect, because as He is so are you in this world. 1 John 4:17 Paul said this in Colossians 3:4 “Christ, who is our life.” And again, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 Is Christ the source of everything we do in life? As a born again believer, yes. We are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Friends, we want to think in these terms, “without Him we can do…
“The sky shall unfold, preparing His entrance. The stars shall applaud Him with thunders and praise. The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting. And we shall behold Him, then face to face. “ Can we imagine? Can we wait? Revelation 1:7 explains, “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, …Even so, Amen. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 The song continues, “And the angels shall sound, the shout of His coming. and the sleeping shall rise from their slumbering strain.” “And those who remain shall be changed in a moment. and we shall behold Him, face to face.” Friends, we shall behold Him in all of His glory. In Revelation 1 He is: ” …clothed with a garment down to the foot,…
From Merriam-Webster “attitude” is defined: A. a mental position with regard to a fact or state — as a helpful attitude. B. A feeling or emotion toward a fact or state– as a negative attitude — an optimistic attitude. David prays a prayer for attitude, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 Preceding verses list: The law of the Lord the testimony of the Lord The statutes of the Lord the commandment of the Lord The fear of the Lord the judgments of the Lord And these, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” But if these are sweet, more so these, James 2:12-13 “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of…
In Revelation 5 a Lamb prevails worthy to open the 7 sealed scroll. This Lamb had been slain, an obvious reference to Christ Himself, who rose from the grave. In Revelation 6 the seals are one by one removed from the scroll, thus opening it. At the opening of the first seal appears a white horse. The horseman held a bow and a crown — he went forth conquering. At the next opening, the second, came a red horse. This rider was enabled to take peace from the earth, to kill one another. He was given a sword. The third seal was opened and came a black horse, he carried a scale of balances. A shout, “A quart of wheat for a shilling, and three quarts of barley for a shilling; but do not injure either the oil or the wine.” A fourth seal and fourth horse, pale, had…
I don’t want to think on it any more. Title of a new song? No, heart cry of a grieving soul. I don’t want to think on it any more. The universe fills with thoughts — big enough for every human being to have his or her unique version. We play with it, enjoy it, embellish and create. We discover the powers of soul and their self-willed capabilities. One day arrives, however, when the self-personality waxes ugly and if I’m honest — I don’t want to think on it any more. To loath my fool-hearted-self, logically manifests itself, after all, a man is shapen in iniquity — “in sin did my mother conceive me.” So teaches God’s Word. The way that seems right to a man eventuates in the way of death. My own understanding lends itself not to be leaned upon. Then what? Oh happy day, when Jesus washed…
1Peter 1:3-5 teaches, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Friends, our salvation accords with His abundant mercy, pardon not deserved but undeserved by us. Can we imagine this realm of existence? “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psalm 147:11 Hope births in the comfortable confines of mercy, steady as a rock, as secure as resurrection, defying death; mercy rejoices over judgement. Folks, in mercy/resurrection, a conscience freeing world excluding judgement, and an eruption of confidence…
“The aims of a great empire and the moral health of the people are incompatible.” “Holding on to a great empire means to contribute to the extinction of our own people.” “And since the faceless and greedy pack did what it pleased, more often than not in our name, we will not be able to wash ourselves clean as quickly as the others have.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn from “The Russian Question” As the leadership of a nation goes, so are it’s people judged. Sadly, a majority of the citizens could disagree with the rulers, but they are not differentiated. These, unfortunately, bear responsibility of all actions; the blessings of kindness — the guilt of wrongs done. Presumed on by outsiders, many bear the brunt of a nation disgraced, a name disintegrated. So, what can we learn? Many things: Private reputations often yield unconsciously to group evaluation. People judge often by national…
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1Corinthians1:23 -2:2 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14 We preach Christ and Him crucified? Without this real historic event of 2000 years ago, our life remains in shambles; because when He died,…