This Is Eternal Life- That They may Know You!

 

Gramps is now rejoicing at Jesus’ feet. This blog, written a year ago is a Message Gramps always wanted you to know. I pray you will take it to heart and ask yourself, are you getting your information from man’s mind or God’s mind and heart? Colossians 3:1-3

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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

A Nod, a Smile a Word of Encouragement – a Seed

 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011    (This wouldn't fly in today's culture!)

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body is not one member, but many”. (I Cor. 12:13-14).

Hey Gang: Legendary UCLA coach Wooden was a winner.  In a recent article that centered on the life of coach Wooden I found that he gave credit for his success to a very interesting practice that he pounded into his athletes’ heads and hearts.
 
Simply stated it was to acknowledge and give credit to the one who helped them score the bucket.  When one of younger players said, “But coach there is no time to run over and pat the guy on the back.  To that Coach Wooden said, “A smile or a meeting of the eyes, or a nod of favor sends the message that you recognize the opportunity he made possible for you.
   
He continually drove home the point that victory was dependent on being willing to sacrifice yourself to help one of your teammates excel whether on the hardwoods, gridiron, or in the corporate world.  He also made it clear that when you give up yourself to help another you are equally important to the victory as the one who in most cases are the focus of the headlines.

Coach Wooden’s rule and I Cor. 12 are both rooted in the principle of seeing our need for one another.  ‘Let me use my talents to help build, strengthen, and help to carry out God’s purpose.’ There are no unimportant people to carry out God’s purpose (vs. 1-11).

Admiral Nimitz was being interviewed by a reporter, while standing on the upper deck of an air craft carrier during World War II.  The reporter asked, “Who is the most important person on this ship”.  His response tended to set the reporter back.  He said, “See that seaman down there dumping garbage overboard? Right now, he is the most important man on board for, if he does not does not scatter it properly, fish will begin to follow our ship and the enemy will follow the fish to our doorstep’.

Soooo,  my good friends put this in your think tank and mull it over as you go through the chores of the day.  I suspect, if you are looking around, there will be opportunities to give a nod, a smile or a few words of encouragement to someone who really needs encouragement today.

Blessings,

Gramps

God Said To Habakkuk, "Look Around and See What I Am Doing."

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

"Yet once more I will shake not only shake the earth, but also the heavens.  This expression, "Yet once more", denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe: For our God is a fire" (Hebrew 12:26-29).  Is your God a consuming fire?

 Hey Gang:  I came across this 'Quote of the month’ that rang my bell.  "With hurricanes, record snow falls and freezing temperatures, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to the other, and with the threat of bird flu, Ebola, and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance".   Now ain't that the truth?

 As I was seeking a word from the Lord this morning on what He would have me share, He whispered in my ear, "Lighten Up"; many of your friends and neighbors, including you, are wound too tight.   Now ain't that the truth?

 We spend far too much of our lives tied in huge knots worrying about things that we cannot control.  As one elderly pastor declared, "There are two days I do not worry about, yesterday, because it is too late to do anything about the creeping alligators, and tomorrow, who has not yet shown its colors - so confine your concerns to today.  There are certainly enough things to get our dander up within any twenty-four hour period.

 As exulted ruler of Eagle Village I never, never, never completed a day as dictated by my daily planner.  With a barn full of highly-wired teen-agers who were under my care, because they had demonstrated their need for someone to teach them what boundaries were, I did not have  a clue what challenges I would face, even before the day had a good start.

 If I did not get up early, before the troops were getting out of the rack and beginning their day, and refill my batteries by spending time alone with the Lord and filling my batteries with the Word - I soon found that I was firing from the hip with an under-powered  gun.  

 I learned, very early in my tenure of working with young people, that God sent across my path, ones who had hurting chest-cavities just the size of God.  I needed to out-gun the powers of Satan that had a grasp on many of the kid’s lives.  I learned that, if I beat him to the punch by finding that one positive thing on which I could build a relationship, I could cut him (Satan) off at the pass, when the alligators began nipping at their heels.

 When a new youngster came into my life, I did not look at the case file to find out what he or she did wrong.  As a matter of fact, I did not break the seal on the case file until I had found that one thing on which I could build a relationship. Why? Because I also learned early, that we spend far too much time dealing with the clinkers in our lives and not enough time smelling the posies that God provides for us each day.

 Soooo, my young friends, if the rubber-hits-the-road today, which it probably it will, take a minute or two and do as God told Habakkuk to do, “Look around you and see what I am doing” (1:2-5).  If you are fortunate to have a clinker-free day, thank Him, the one who made that possible, and share the good news with someone who is going through deep waters.

Blessings,

Gramps

I AM the RESURRECTION

 

Sunday, March 31, 2013

 

 Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait for the End.  I AM, right now, the Resurrection and Life.  The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.  And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.  Do you believe this?” John 11:25. The Message    (Read Eph 2)

 HE IS RISEN!! He is risen, indeed.  These are greetings that we here often today, Resurrection Sunday!

Hallelujah! What a Savior! He Lives!  He is NOT in the grave!!  HE IS RISEN!!!!

 Jesus conquered sin and death and hell.  He experienced all those things.  The grave could not hold the Son of God!  Jesus took the keys of Hades and set the believers free.  Today, He is just the same and He offers each of us the passage from death to life.

 Jesus said, “I AM the resurrection and life.” Not I was or will be, but I AM!!  Resurrection literally means, ‘to cause to stand’.  This was spoken to Martha at the death of her brother.  Can you hear the mourners wailing?  In that dark hour Jesus declared His supreme authority over life and death. He declared himself a present, life-giving power, as well as the giver of eternal life.  Yes, He had raised others before this and demonstrated his power over death, but this had been 4 days! AND Jesus is the only one never to experience death again!!

 What Hope of Glory for all of us who have believing loved ones who have gone on before us because Jesus, by the hand of His Father, defeated death.  He told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you.”

 Later He revealed to Paul that those who live in Christ on the earth, have already been seated with the Father:  “Every believer who is in Christ Jesus is seated with him at the right hand of the Father” (Eph 2:6) The physically body may be on this earth, but Jesus bridged the gap from earth to heaven.  Hallelujah!!

 I love to sing ‘He Lives’.  ‘You ask me how I know he lives…. He Lives with in my heart!!!!’ It is important for us to remember that, if He, Jesus, lives with in my heart, then I have all His power and authority in me!  I am a KINGS KID with all rights and privileges.  I am alive in Christ and need to act like I believe that, not just in eternity but as He did here on earth.  “He that hath the Son hath life….” ( I John 5:12)

 “Don’t fear: I AM First, I AM Last, I’m Alive.  I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever.  See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death’s doors, they open and lock Hell’s gates.  Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be.” (Revelation 1: 17-18 The Message)

 Hallelujah, What a Savior who loved me enough to die in my place.

Jesus left His place, to come to my place, to die in my place, to take me to His place!

  HE LIVES  

 I serve a risen Saviour He's in the world today; I know that He is living, Whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him He’s always near.
Chorus:

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives  today! He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way. He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care, And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading Thro' all the stormy blast, The day of His appearing Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, The help of all who find, None other is so loving, So good and kind.

 AND…. Because HE Lives…..  Bill Gaither

 Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,  Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,  And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! 

How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! 
And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to vict'ry, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! 

Blessings,

Gramps and Gma J

LAMB of GOD

 Sunday, March 31, 2013

 

   “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)

 How cute are little lambs! One of my earliest memories is feeding ‘BaBa’ at my friend’s farm.  However, my perception of lambs/sheep has changed with maturity, travel and study.  Today, my mind sees lambs/sheep as people – sea of humanity “All we like sheep have gone astray.” (Isa 53:6)

 Today one Lamb stands out in my mind – “Jesus, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:9); but in my mind I also see the picture of Shepherd Jesus holding a little lamb.  How can He be Shepherd and Lamb?? God and Son of God??  Lamb of God and Lion of Judah??   God is God – Awesome. Mysterious and unfathomable!!

 John the Baptizer, son of a priest, was familiar with the sacrificial system. When He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God”, it was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The innocent Lamb of God would be the innocent sacrificial Lamb and give His life -because He loved you and me.

 Our hindsight is much more clear; we know Yeshua ha Machaia was the Lamb sacrificed, Suffering Servant – but He will return as King Jesus, Lion of Judah!!  Prophets and scholars of the Old Testament didn’t have such insight.  God’s Lamb’s blood sacrifice was so effective that when God looks at His children, He sees Jesus!! How can I say thank you Lord?  Only by obedience!

 In our travels to the Holy land, we have walked down the ‘Palm Sunday road from Bethany toward the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem; it is downhill and past the cemeteries.  As Jesus rode the donkey leading the joyous procession of ‘palm branches – symbol of earthly triumph, and heard the ‘Hosannas’, which recognized him as Messiah, he rode over a very special culvert near the gate.  In a few days, this culvert would run red with the blood of Passover lambs – being selected on this very day. (As many as 250000 lambs representing about 2.5million people were probably sacrificed!)  

  Little did those Palm-Sunday paraders know at that time, that Jesus was already “ordained from the foundation of the earth“ ( Rev 13:8) to be our sacrificial Lamb and His blood would be shed on Passover for our sins.  The blood of the earthly lambs could only cover sin; Jesus’ blood washes, removes and forgives the curse of sin!!  “Without the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sin.” (Heb 9:22).

 In the beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned, they choose to try to cover their sin some  with fig leaves; God had another plan.  He chose an animal to give it’s blood as a covering.  Lev. 17:11 says, “It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…..” (John 3:16). God loves people - but hates sin… so He paid the price for our sin on the cross- not people as He did in the flood.

 The apostle John, now aged and looking toward heaven, mentions Christ as the Lamb 29 times, however, Strong’s Concordance indicates that the meaning of the word has changed from innocent Lamb to one stronger indicating a lamb slain but now ready to reign.  “Then I saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center and he took the scroll…” (Rev 5:4-5).  Today on earth we sing from  Rev 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb”.  I can only imagine singing with the crowds in Glory.

 Let me close with a paragraph from Ann Spangler’s book Praying the Names of Jesus:  Fortunately, God gave His Son to be both Lion and Lamb.  As Lamb He has taken the brunt of God’s wrath, bearing it away so that we can experience God’s mercy.  But as the Lion He stands in judgment on all who persist in opposing God.

 SOOO, young and older… Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?   IF not, today is the day of salvation.  Sincerely repent and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, turn from sinning and walk in His Word, will and way.  Jesus, Lamb of God Worthy is Your name

 Nothing but the Blood    

What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow  That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Be Blessed Resurrection Sunday!!  And every day!

Gramps and Gma J