This Is Eternal Life- That They may Know You!

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life”  (John 5:39-40).

Hey Gang:  In other ‘gramps morning thoughts’ I shared the deep desire of my heart is to sit at the feet of Jesus just as Mary did.  I asked the question of each of you “Have you ever had a yearning so deep that it filled your every thought.  I pray you have given that question your undivided attention.

But those who know me also know that I am not one that leaves unanswered questions lying dormant in my dome of intellect.  I do not believe God would have me seek such an experience while here on earth without making provision for me to have the desire of my heart fulfilled. 

How many know that God does indeed work in mysterious ways.  I just happened to open a book that I have been wading through, to the chapter titled “The Undivided Life” and I believe I have found God’s formula for sitting at the feet of Jesus, even now while I am an earthbound homo-sapien.

He begins by saying you can be a 'Bible attacker', where the challenge is to read through the Bible from cover to cover.  The Author says: to be filled with the knowledge about the Bible- but to be unwashed by it- is worse than not knowing it at all.  It can give us a false sense of security.

Have you ever come face to face with a Bible thumper? One who could quote Scriptures that fit every subject but, when one looked at the fruits of their lives, there is a meltdown between what they are saying and the fruits they are producing in their lives?

  

Now hear me (the Author), I am NOT putting down reading the Bible through or even reading large portions of Scripture in rapid fire motion; however, it is meditation on the Word, (internalizing) that will lead to growing in the Lord.  I suggest that you take a passage and first seek the Lord’s guidance and wisdom to understand and grow in the Lord through that passage.   Ask Him, “Lord what do you want to say to me in this moment?”  Keep in mind the Bible is God’s love letter to His children and to get the depth out of what He is saying, we must consume it like a love letter.

Keep in mind. also, the goal is not to get through the Scriptures, but to get the Scriptures through us.  The Psalmist says that sitting at the feet of Jesus comes to the person who meditates on the law ‘day and night’ (Psa. 1:2).  Keep in mind meditation is a slow process that requires allowing God’s thoughts and words to seep deep into our souls.

So friends and neighbors, do you want to sit at the feet of Jesus?   Then “Be still and know that He is God” (Psa. 46:10).  Remember, the word that God speaks to us can renew our mind, but we must be silent and receive it.  

Blessings,  

  

Gramps

Are You connected to the Vine?

“I am the vine and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me, that does not bear fruit, He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2).

Hey Gang: This is not a new subject area for Gramps, (actually a rerun) I love this passage of Scripture.  I have mentioned before that I have titled the 17^th chapter of John the IF chapter, and it contains sufficient meat and potatoes to keep us here for several months to come.

But is that not the mystery of the Word of God?  Have you ever read a book written by a human author that has a different meaning the second, third, fourth time you read it?  Or put another way, have you ever read a passage of Scripture a second time and you got the same message that you received the first time around?

It is not the desire of Abba Father’s heart to get out the pruning shears.  The most quoted verse in the Bible, (John 3:16) gives us the wondrous news of how very much He loves His creation.

 Peter also emphasized God's great love for His children when He wrote: “It is God’s heart that none should perish but all would repent and accept His great salvation.” (2 Pet. 3:9 Hillbilly rendition).  Again, can you say, “WOW!” Thank You Lord!  Do we not all have loved one’s who has chosen to go their own way and need to come into God’s safety network?

In verse 10 we find a power verse that contains the key to all of the 'IF's of this passage “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in MY love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (v. 12)  

This power verse follows another power verse that measures just how much we are willing to love our neighbor, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (v. 13).  The bottom line: “This I command you, that you love one another” (v.17).

So, my friends and neighbors, lets quit there.  We certainly do not like reading Jesus' next words, but I suspect in this day and age when we see our religious freedoms under attack from many sources, we need to learn the truth of what is to come.  Another 'IF' but with a very different message: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (v.18).  Really? You bet your sweet bippy!

Blessings,

Gramps 

PS Read  John 17:20-23.  On His way to the cross, Jesus prayed for you and me and all who would believe in Him. Be Blesses as you celebrate Resurrection Sunday.  Remember there were not many at the tomb to celebrate! – Maybe all the angels in Glory!!!

Did you know that many think 'Good Friday' originally was called "God's Day"?  God's plan for the redemption of man "It Is Finished"! John 19:28-30

I AM a Child of God!

Scripture: “…And a little Child shall lead them.” Isa 11:6.

“Assuredly, I say unto you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:3

Hey gang, how many of you ever were told, “Children are to be seen and not heard?”  It was popular when I was growing up – but not so relevant today.  My heart hurts when I hear young people without a “governor on their mouth .”  Scripture has much to say about that – read Proverbs.  But that is not my thought for today.

Recently, I reread the story in I Kings 5. Most people focus on the major character in this story, Naaman.  Yes, it is about God’s care for him and, after being humbled instead of honored, he obeyed the prophet, was healed and recognized that the God of Israel was the one true God. 

My focus, today, is the young girl – we don’t know her name or age, but we hear her heart. She had been taken from her family in Israel and was now a slave, serving Naaman’s wife.  Remember, in Jesus’ day and before, children, especially in non-Hebrew cultures, were considered simply as property.

Several things jumped out at me that I think we all can learn. Read the entire story II King 5:1-19.

1.    This slave girl, now in a foreign county remained true to God, in difficult circumstances.  Instead of a hostile attitude, she respected her Mistress and Master and wanted God’s best for them - wholeness and health and shared her faith!

2.    She was trained from childhood to trust and depend on God.  Her natural outlook was that God could and would do miracles.  (Do you think God is the same yesterday and Today?)

3.    Her gentle remark to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria, God would heal him of Leprosy.” (v 3). Again reflects a right attitude.

4.    Words are important, as are listening ears!

5.    God works in mysterious ways. Naaman responded, but his expectations and what happened – for God’s glory – were very different. 

God ways are not our ways – so much greater! Naaman’s servants gave him wise counsel respectively. Did you notice? Five times in the River didn’t make a difference – but Oh, the seventh time!!!

God has untold blessings for us, if we obey Him and follow His ways.  Not only was Naaman healed but he made the slave girl’s God his own.  Can you imagine the stories she might have shared with him and her mistress on his return?

Soooo, if you are a child of God, with whom have you shared God’s love and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for our sin-nature? Leprosy, in Scripture, is a type of sin and without Divine healing it leads to death. The same is true today of any who have not asked Jesus to forgive them of human sin nature. Are you being intentional about how you live your life, choose your words and share Jesus?

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12.   

Blessings.
Gma Jean

Have You Been Kicked in the Gut Lately?

"But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.  Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; May I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters" (Psalm 69:13-14).

Hey Gang: Sleep escaped me earlier this morning.  That seems to have become a way of life as I have grown more mature.  I have always been a morning person and feel that, if I have not made a contribution to the tasks of the day before the sun comes up, I have wasted a good portion of the day. 

This morning the darkness seemed to be so very intense.   I felt as if the weight of the world was hanging around my neck. Did you ever feel that way?   Of course, that is not the case but, when we try to move into God's turf, it seems to be a yoke that seems to grow tighter around our neck.    

I think David must have had at least one day like that when he wrote: "But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.  Deliver me from the mire and don't let me sink" (vs. 13-14a).

It is at times like that when we need to be obedient to God's word and get alone with the Lord and turn it all over to Him.  Again turning to the words of the Psalmist, "Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me. And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in distress; answer me quickly."  (vs. 16-17).

This morning, when I turned the computer on, it presented me with screens I have never seen before.  Now, understand I am an old duck, (perhaps frog would be better) that requires a five- year-old to help me get to where I want to get on this one-eyed monster.  After pressing about every button on the keyboard, I hit the right button or perhaps the wrong button, and the screen went blank, so I rebooted and praise God, a familiar face appeared.

Within the morning hours the can opener failed, and the toaster crashed, and several incoming calls did not fill my heart with peace, joy and contentment.  In other words, the alligators were in high gear.  It soon became apparent I had to make a decision: would I allow this nonsense to continue, or would I do as David did, He cried out to the Lord, "Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink". 

And then it happened.  The sun peeked through the trees and the skies began to brighten.  I am blessed to live on the edge of a small forest and the sun radiating through the trees can be a very beautiful picture. 

How many out there know that when you are working with children who have severe emotional problems, life can be a roller coaster.  I spent many hours training our staff that they are only seed planters and not harvesters.  When you look for the harvest you are programming yourself for burn out.  And how did I try and get that message across?  By convincing them they needed to go home and cut the grass, sweep the deck or do something that they can see completed.

So, I did as I preached. I shut off the one-eyed-monster, and went and cleaned the basement.  It looks wonderful!  But I also know that when the creepee's come a bothering (ya all know what a creepee is? A hillbilly word for ‘thorn’), I will find something to do the next time I need to feel the sense of accomplishment and completion.

Blessings, 

Gramps