John 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first {day} of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace {be} with you."(NAS)
This takes place just after Jesus' tomb has been found empty, and Mary has seen Jesus, alive again. It is amazing that this same group of men who were hiding out in a room with the doors shut, afraid of the Jews, would eventually be so bold as to spend the rest of their lives sharing the gospel to all peoples, no matter what the cost. Nearly all of them would suffer terrible deaths for the sake of the gospel. This is an amazing testament to the changing power of the Holy Spirit, and proof that the God we serve truly is alive and truly is all powerful!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Concert
Last night I went to the Rock and Worship Roadshow. It's a tour that a few Christian bands are doing now. The tickets are 10 dollars at the door. They plan on making them even cheaper next year, and eventually free. 7th Avenue North, Addison Road, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, and MercyMe were all there.
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp were both amazing shows. And they were both worshipful; to me that's what makes a Christian concert really good.
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp were both amazing shows. And they were both worshipful; to me that's what makes a Christian concert really good.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
An Explanation
John 12:23-28
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
This verse is very similar to another verse found in Matthew:
Matt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.(NAS)
There is a reason the saying goes: "accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior." Sometimes we forget that it involves a surrender. In John 12:23, Jesus is referring directly to the cross that he is about to endure for our sins, but He also relates it to us. When we accept Salvation, we are taking God's gift, but we are giving a life of service in return. As Believers, we can't be stuck in what this world has to offer. The goal is at the end of the course, not off to either side. As Paul tells us repeatedly, that goal is to become like Christ. That is often accomplished through suffering, which is what Matthew 16:24 means by "take up his cross."
I know I personally do a better job of surrendering some days more than others. I think it has to be a daily task. Something we're always working for. And prayer is a big part of it.
At the tail end of the passage in John, it even says that we will be honored for our gift of service. It's not entirely clear what that honor will be, but if it's something God wants to give us, it's got to be good. I feel like going on and on, but I think I'm a little scattered already, and it's past my bedtime, so I guess that's it for the night. No wonder I postponed this explanation.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
This verse is very similar to another verse found in Matthew:
Matt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.(NAS)
There is a reason the saying goes: "accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior." Sometimes we forget that it involves a surrender. In John 12:23, Jesus is referring directly to the cross that he is about to endure for our sins, but He also relates it to us. When we accept Salvation, we are taking God's gift, but we are giving a life of service in return. As Believers, we can't be stuck in what this world has to offer. The goal is at the end of the course, not off to either side. As Paul tells us repeatedly, that goal is to become like Christ. That is often accomplished through suffering, which is what Matthew 16:24 means by "take up his cross."
I know I personally do a better job of surrendering some days more than others. I think it has to be a daily task. Something we're always working for. And prayer is a big part of it.
At the tail end of the passage in John, it even says that we will be honored for our gift of service. It's not entirely clear what that honor will be, but if it's something God wants to give us, it's got to be good. I feel like going on and on, but I think I'm a little scattered already, and it's past my bedtime, so I guess that's it for the night. No wonder I postponed this explanation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Great Passage and No Time to Explain Tonight
John 12:23-28
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
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