"Then Judas, who betrayed him, asked, "You don't mean me, do you, Rabbi?" "Yes, I do," Jesus replied." Matthew 26:25
"One disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, was near him at the table. Simon Peter motioned to that disciple and said, "Ask Jesus whom he's talking about!" Leaning close to Jesus, that disciple asked, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "He's the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I've dipped it in the sauce." So Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Then, after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered him. So Jesus told him, "Hurry! Do what you have to do." John 13:23-27
The National Geographic own the rights to the "Gospel of Judas". This was recently released for public reading and viewing and has already had quite a few scholars write books about the text.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/document.htm
I spend a lot of time reading and researching what "scholars and theologians" are saying about the scriptures and other writings relating to the Christian faith. Many of them are so involved in trying to find reason to not believe in Jesus...that at times, it's comically sad to read their thoughts.
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?ml_video=85406
I do understand why it's important to research these writings. Just knowing how "Scripture" was deemed "Scripture" should make us all desire to study and research the writings of the past. Just look at all those "who believe" and we see that our understanding and our translation of "Scripture" is based on how we have been taught to believe...or how we've been taught to translate languages into our own language.
There is one thing that we can count on as we grow in our faith. Jesus didn't leave us completely on our own to figure it all out. Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it doesn't see or know Him. You know Him, because He lives with you and will be in you." John 14: 16-17
I believe God has given us the "Scriptures". I believe the "Spirit of Truth" confirms this in our hearts...even when we don't understand or agree. Certainly Paul and Peter had their arguments!
Won't it be great when Jesus comes and we will all see and understand!
Keep looking to Jesus and trust the "Spirit of Truth".
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Pursuing the faith.
"But these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in Him."
John 20:31
I love to read and study the Scriptures. I am constantly learning and seeing how the Lord continues to change my heart and mind as I pursue a life that is a reflection of Him. I don't do a great job at being a reflection of my Lord and Saviour, but I hope that one day I will be like Him.
Beside reading Scripture, I read a lot from those who have also pursued or are pursuing their faith. I read the writings of people who are in nearly every denomination, and faith. I want to understand how they came to their conclusions since most of them read the same Scriptures that I read. It's a strange thing to know that we all read the same scriptures...yet, we all have our slant on what the scriptures say!
Having walked in the faith of Jesus Christ for many years now, I have come to a place where I realize that those who love and follow Jesus are doing exactly what I do. They are pursuing their relationship with God and desiring that God reveal His Truth. Why we all come to different understandings? I have no clue! But I pray that we continue to seek Jesus and live as people who love and desire fellowship with those who believe, and desire to love those who don't believe and be an example of Christ to them.
One day we will all see clearly. We all will understand. But no matter who you are, what church you attend, whether you have no faith or a ton of faith, keep pursuing. For those of you who do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, I could never give you or teach you to believe. But I do know Jesus can and will.
John 20:31
I love to read and study the Scriptures. I am constantly learning and seeing how the Lord continues to change my heart and mind as I pursue a life that is a reflection of Him. I don't do a great job at being a reflection of my Lord and Saviour, but I hope that one day I will be like Him.
Beside reading Scripture, I read a lot from those who have also pursued or are pursuing their faith. I read the writings of people who are in nearly every denomination, and faith. I want to understand how they came to their conclusions since most of them read the same Scriptures that I read. It's a strange thing to know that we all read the same scriptures...yet, we all have our slant on what the scriptures say!
Having walked in the faith of Jesus Christ for many years now, I have come to a place where I realize that those who love and follow Jesus are doing exactly what I do. They are pursuing their relationship with God and desiring that God reveal His Truth. Why we all come to different understandings? I have no clue! But I pray that we continue to seek Jesus and live as people who love and desire fellowship with those who believe, and desire to love those who don't believe and be an example of Christ to them.
One day we will all see clearly. We all will understand. But no matter who you are, what church you attend, whether you have no faith or a ton of faith, keep pursuing. For those of you who do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, I could never give you or teach you to believe. But I do know Jesus can and will.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Good Friday & Easter
"At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud vocie, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"...Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice and died." Mark 15:33,34,37
I have always found the term "Good Friday" to be strange words for what was to have happened on that day 2000 plus years ago. Traditionally, Jesus was to have died on "Good Friday" and I assume that was "good" because with His death, life would be given to mankind. The thought is "good" but how he was tortured and hung on a cross, certainly doesn't bring the word "good" to my mind!
I also have been at odds with the tradition of the "church" in how it has become truth that Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday. I'm certainly not a theologian, nor a mathematician, but Jesus made it clear that he would die and 3 days and 3 nights later, he would rise (Matthew 12:40). Tradition teaches Jesus died Friday afternoon, buried before sundown, Saturday, then Saturday night, and then He rises on Sunday morning. Two days. Sort of.
When I studied this many years ago, I came to my conclusion of this strange tradition. Since the newly found state/church under Constantine, many traditions and newly created doctrines started to not only be taught, but forced on the people to help control and bring peace...or "fear" to keep people in line and give them reason to live under the newly formed government/religion.
Simple reading of scripture and other materials available from that period, you find that at the time of Passover, an 8 day long festival, Jesus was crucified in the middle of Passover and rose from the dead at the end of it. So many pictures of this throughout Scripture!
So does this matter at how we look at this day? I personally think it does. Bad doctrine is bad doctrine. This particular doctrine has become truth to many...and the only way it has become that, is that certain "religious wise men" have decided that the "Scriptures" are flawed...but after years and years of examining the Scriptures, I see more and more how God doesn't make mistakes in presenting His Truth. I may not understand all of it...but, I believe God is much bigger than man.
Easter Sunday:
"The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He's not here. He has been brought back to life as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Then go quickly, and tell His disciples that He has been brought back to life. He's going ahead of them into Galilee. There they will see Him. Take note that I have told you." They hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples."
Matthew 28:5-8
There were many witnesses to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. I believe the witness of the many. I believe them not because they witnessed and knew Jesus personally, but I believe them because now I know Him personally.
He has risen! Hallelujah!
I have always found the term "Good Friday" to be strange words for what was to have happened on that day 2000 plus years ago. Traditionally, Jesus was to have died on "Good Friday" and I assume that was "good" because with His death, life would be given to mankind. The thought is "good" but how he was tortured and hung on a cross, certainly doesn't bring the word "good" to my mind!
I also have been at odds with the tradition of the "church" in how it has become truth that Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday. I'm certainly not a theologian, nor a mathematician, but Jesus made it clear that he would die and 3 days and 3 nights later, he would rise (Matthew 12:40). Tradition teaches Jesus died Friday afternoon, buried before sundown, Saturday, then Saturday night, and then He rises on Sunday morning. Two days. Sort of.
When I studied this many years ago, I came to my conclusion of this strange tradition. Since the newly found state/church under Constantine, many traditions and newly created doctrines started to not only be taught, but forced on the people to help control and bring peace...or "fear" to keep people in line and give them reason to live under the newly formed government/religion.
Simple reading of scripture and other materials available from that period, you find that at the time of Passover, an 8 day long festival, Jesus was crucified in the middle of Passover and rose from the dead at the end of it. So many pictures of this throughout Scripture!
So does this matter at how we look at this day? I personally think it does. Bad doctrine is bad doctrine. This particular doctrine has become truth to many...and the only way it has become that, is that certain "religious wise men" have decided that the "Scriptures" are flawed...but after years and years of examining the Scriptures, I see more and more how God doesn't make mistakes in presenting His Truth. I may not understand all of it...but, I believe God is much bigger than man.
Easter Sunday:
"The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He's not here. He has been brought back to life as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Then go quickly, and tell His disciples that He has been brought back to life. He's going ahead of them into Galilee. There they will see Him. Take note that I have told you." They hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples."
Matthew 28:5-8
There were many witnesses to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. I believe the witness of the many. I believe them not because they witnessed and knew Jesus personally, but I believe them because now I know Him personally.
He has risen! Hallelujah!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
What would Jesus do?
"Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is the meaning of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12
I was talking to a gentleman the other day at our baseball training center. They have been coming for a few weeks and seem to be enjoying the progress they are seeing with the instruction that they are being given. The father was in a talkative mood and as we sat watching one of my trainers teach his son, he started talking about all sorts of things.
Because we have a scripture on our business website, most everyone who walks in the door know that we are believers in Jesus. We don't push our beliefs on anyone...but many that come, after a few weeks will start asking questions about our faith. They seem to see a difference in the way they are treated and feel comfortable that we are not the typical "christians" pushing an agenda.
Anyway, in my conversation with this man, I asked him what he did for a living. He was in construction. A type that mainly folks who have more money than the average would call on.
Without any other question than that, he said an odd thing. He said something like, "It's a great business and I've done well, but one of my biggest problems has been working with all these "born again Christians" with their Lexus, Mercedes, BMW 's that have that fish on the back of their cars. They scream the loudest, always try to get me to come down on the price, and then when I complete the job I have a hard time collecting my money." I knew exactly what he meant. I spent 25 years in the "Christain" music business!
Isn't it sad that this type of conversation has become common among people? Maybe it's not so bad outside the "Bible Belt"...but here, right in the middle of it all, I hear, and witness this type of attitude toward believers in Christ. How sad.
My encouragement to all of us who believe...love your neighbor. Respect them and give them the honor due to them. Show them Jesus.
I was talking to a gentleman the other day at our baseball training center. They have been coming for a few weeks and seem to be enjoying the progress they are seeing with the instruction that they are being given. The father was in a talkative mood and as we sat watching one of my trainers teach his son, he started talking about all sorts of things.
Because we have a scripture on our business website, most everyone who walks in the door know that we are believers in Jesus. We don't push our beliefs on anyone...but many that come, after a few weeks will start asking questions about our faith. They seem to see a difference in the way they are treated and feel comfortable that we are not the typical "christians" pushing an agenda.
Anyway, in my conversation with this man, I asked him what he did for a living. He was in construction. A type that mainly folks who have more money than the average would call on.
Without any other question than that, he said an odd thing. He said something like, "It's a great business and I've done well, but one of my biggest problems has been working with all these "born again Christians" with their Lexus, Mercedes, BMW 's that have that fish on the back of their cars. They scream the loudest, always try to get me to come down on the price, and then when I complete the job I have a hard time collecting my money." I knew exactly what he meant. I spent 25 years in the "Christain" music business!
Isn't it sad that this type of conversation has become common among people? Maybe it's not so bad outside the "Bible Belt"...but here, right in the middle of it all, I hear, and witness this type of attitude toward believers in Christ. How sad.
My encouragement to all of us who believe...love your neighbor. Respect them and give them the honor due to them. Show them Jesus.
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