Are You A New Creature In Christ Jesus?

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 Hey Gang:  As a young lad growing up in the hills of Pennsylvania, we were challenged to do something to aid in the war effort.  World War II was the focus of everyone in those days and we wanted to do our part.  So, we spent a day a month searching throughout the hillsides and along the roadways for milkweeds that could be used to make rubber.

 Now, if you know anything about milkweeds, you probably know that caterpillars love milkweeds and often attach their chrysalis (cocoon) to it.   We often collected one and put in a glass jar that had a lid with air holes, with a short stick and milkweed leaves for food. The stage was set and each day we would watch one of the wonders of God's creation - metamorphosis take place.

 Watching the caterpillar was like watching a tug of war between two great warriors - but the tug of war was God's design to place strength in the wings of the butterfly that would enable it to fly!  I recall one time, when we made the mistake of helping the caterpillar escape, only to see it lamely fly for a moment or two, then drop to the ground and die.

 In our work with human caterpillars who are struggling to escape the cocoon that holds them captive, we learned there is a time to help them, but there is a time to make them fight their way out of the cocoon that holds them captive.

 As I thought about this story, a sad memory surfaced in my heart and mind.  I had a very good friend who was blessed with a wonderful mom, but she was his own worst enemy.  I remember one morning when I arrived at his house a little early and his mom had him standing on chair while she washed his face, put his clothes on, tied his shoes, combed his hair and lifted him down from the chair as she would handle a dozen of eggs.  He was never allowed to fall and feel the victory of getting up and putting one foot in front of the other.  And, on the day he went off to college, he was totally unprepared for living in the real world; he came apart mentally.

 The point, the caterpillar has no choice in metamorphosis, but man must choose to be changed.  To become a Christian, we must experience death to the carnal man, so that "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

 When the new creature crawls out of the cocoon it has been transformed into something beautiful not at all resembling its former self.  The butterfly uses its lovely wings to fly from flower to flower, drinking and adding beauty to the environment.  It is no longer attracted to the milkweed leaves for feeding.

 In the same way, our spiritual feeding habits should clearly change when we become Christians.  Instead of filling ourselves with 'weeds' we should feast on the 'nectar' of God's Word.

Soooo, what does your diet consist of?  Are you feeding on milkweed or nectar?  Isaiah gave us the key to success for breaking free from the cocoons of life that hold us in bondage.  "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?  And your labor for that which satisfies not?  Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good" (Isaiah 55:2)

 Blessings,

 Gramps

 

What Is Your Legacy?

 

A good message for Father’s Day! But it is through tears of grief and joy that I share it.  I praise God for the way He used us and for the gift of Bible study, writing and Legacy He implanted in Gramps heart and mind.  I hear God’s voice nightly as I reread his many commentaries and have been blessed to share them with others.

 Wednesday, June 10, 2015

 

"Therefore we do not lose heart but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things when are not seen; for the things which are seen  are  temporal,  but  the things  which  are  not  seen  are eternal"   (2 Cor. 4:16-18).     

 

Hey Gang:   Several years ago God impressed on my heart a question that penetrated deep into my soul: 'You have diligently prepared to pass your earthly possessions down to the bone of your bone, but what have you done to pass your spiritual legacy down to them?’   That day I vowed I would give a Bible to each of my children and grand's that would include all the notes I had accumulated while serving as Chaplain at the Village. A massive promise to God that has taken more than twenty years to complete.

 

I never really realized the impact that decision made until I received a letter written by my grandson Ryan, who lost his battle to cancer.  It is one of the true "pearls of my life".   I would like to quote the entire letter here, but it is much too long, but I do want to share one sentence that is etched in my inner most being.  Summer of 2012 he and his bride, Kendra, attended a family camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch.  The speaker talked about passing legacies to our children; His legacy was to pass a Bible that he had read that year to a family member. 

Ryan wrote  these words:

 

"This hit home with me as I stared down at my Bible.  Back home I had left the worn-out, falling- apart, tattered, brown Bible I'd been given.  It was the same sword my grandfather wielded for many years as he labored and fought to save kids and families through the camp and treatment center he and my grandmother founded.  It has decades of notes, underlines, scribbles and prayers.  As I read my grandfather’s Bible, I encounter the same God he encountered so many years ago when he first opened this book.  More than that I get to see how it impacted my gramps. 

 

The power of this book in his life is so evident that it jumped off the pages. I can hear his voice as I read his thoughts and it's almost like sitting here studying with him!  This book is so important to me, I had copied every line, note, jot, tiddle, and scratch to "my Bible.  It too is worn and showing its mileage.  It's a blend of all my grandfather's thoughts and mine added into it as well.  It encompasses my heritage, my faith, and my personality". 

 

Soooo,  my friends, this is not the message I planned on sending you this morning but we recently celebrated Ryan's life as a super daddy, a great husband, but mostly a dedicated covenant-related servant of Yeshua, his Lord.  

 

Recently I came across a neat little story about a man who was in his final days. He called his wife of many years to his side, took her hand and said, "I will be going away for a little while to prepare a place for your coming to me again".   

 

There is no greater joy than to know that one day soon we will join Ryan and David, my son, and I pray all of my children and their children and their children at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.  I also pray that each one reading this Morning Message from Gramps will be there with us to celebrate the coming together of Christ and his Bride for all eternity. 

Are you passing your spiritual legacy down?  Keep in mind we do not have a clue when God will say - if you are His child, “Time to come home!”

 

 

Blessings, 

 

Gramps   

PS This Bible above now carries names of three Generations:  Kermit H… Ryan P… Colton P….2015

 

PPS I can count at least 13 Bibles Gramps read and marked individually - note always all the same.  He did commentaries on all the Books of the New Testament, several of the Old Testament and the thoughts God gave him on other subjects.  I am blessed.  Gma J 2021

 

In Times Like These... 7 years later

 Monday, June 30, 2014

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).

 Hey Gang, Gma here again.  You have read the last couple mornings about the 'foundations' in Peril. (Go to Archives June 2014 if you want to read the foundations) The day after I prepared these for the ‘blog’, my devotional hymn was this one –In Times Like These- the words so very fitting for today.

 “Wars, earthquakes, famines, drugs, child abuse, humanism, the occult, New Age…..

    When world events and ideologies like these seem ominous and unsettling to us or when personal sorrows or tragedies confront us, where can we go but to the Lord?  How comforting it is to know we can always flee to him and rest securely on our ‘Solid Rock’.  During the fearful days at the height of WW II, when the stress and strain of daily living seemed almost overwhelming, the comforting hymn “In Times Like These“ was written.  In the midst of a busy day as a housewife, Ruth Caye Jones felt a direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit.  She stopped her work to quickly put down both words and music just as they were given to her by God.

Since that day the hymn has been a blessing to countless Christians at special times of need.  It has brought comfort during illness, has been used widely at funerals, has encouraged and challenged Christian workers, and has drawn many to salvation.  Mrs. Jones experiences for herself the consolation the words of the song could bring as she spent time recovering from serious surgery a few years after this was written.

The Scriptures warn that world conditions will continue to get worse as we approach the end of this age and the return of Christ.  In addition, we must prepare ourselves for the difficulty times that come to everyone as life progresses.  We can only remain firm when we know with conviction that our God is in control and that all things are working out for our ultimate good.  In the meantime, we simply grip the “Solid Rock” ......as these words tell us:

In times like these, you need a Savior; in times like these you need an anchor; be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

In times like these you need the Bible; In times like these O be not idle; be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

In times like these I have a Savior; in times like these I have an anchor; I’m very sure, I’m very sure my anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Refrain: This Rock is Jesus, yes, He’s the one; This Rock is Jesus, the only One! Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

 Sooo, our young, and not so young friends, whatever difficulties, anxieties may surround you just now, be certain that you are anchored in the ROCK Christ Jesus. He, the God Head, is the only secure help.  His promises are yes and amen.  He is faithful to His word and us.

 Blesssings,

Gma J

I Ask You, Are YOU PECULIAR?

 

I thought this was appropriate for this week.  I just finished reading the Word and Gramps Hillbilly rendition of I Peter.  Remember tis was written to “those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” That includes me and any who choose Jesus!!

 Friday, June 28, 2013

 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

Hey Gang:  In my travels through the Word of God I have found that no verse stands alone.  I have great concern when a pastor or teacher takes a verse out of context and does not surround it with the hidden pearls that support that verse.  One of my very favorite verses is Peter’s words found in I Peter 2:9.  

 As I study Peter’s life and words, I sense a kinship with him for I, too, have been known to step out of the boat and be a wee bit brash in some of my actions and words.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I, too, have been reprimanded when my brashness has become too bold.

When my grandkids were in their younger years it was my privilege to baptize them.  On the day we were to complete this blessed event, one of the grandmas, being raised in the Catholic persuasion, had a concern that I was not a priest in the Catholic sense of the world.  When I read Peter’s words to her - that as believers we are “royal priest” she was satisfied that I was, indeed, qualified to baptize her grand children.

Does it not make you feel all warm inside when you realize that as a child of God you are a “royal priest”?  One commentary suggested that as people became believers they "at once bore the dignity of kings, and the sanctity of priests".  Jesus, through John in Revelation wrote, “And He hath made us kings and priests unto God." (Rev. 1:6).

In the King James Version we find the word ‘peculiar’ used to describe God’s children.  Most folks would get their dander up if referred to as peculiar, but a little research soon shows us its meaning is much deeper than we find used today.  The Greek word (according to Bible on Internet) means, “A people for a possession that is pertaining to God”.  They are people who are secured as a possession, or His own; a people that belong to Him and no other.

Sooooo gang, have you praised Him this morning for calling you “out of the darkness into His marvelous light?”    We live in a time when the dark clouds are gathering and all that can be shaken is being shaken, but is it not fan-tab-u-lus to know you are a royal priest, and a member of a holy nation, and a person for God’s own possession and “you have been called out of darkness into His glorious light”?  “Rejoice ye in it!” Represent you KING well!

Blessings,

Gramps