My Daddy Date with Jesus

I love my monthly days of solitude with Jesus. He set the example for us over and over in Scripture, no matter how busy He was, he always got away to spend quiet time with the Father (Matthew 26:26-46). I have tried to make this a discipline, and it is always so healing and rewarding. So...here is some stuff I learned today.

1) There was a group of birds flying and they were so in sync and seemed to know there role. The lead bird would stray off to the back of the group so another could lead, and the cycle continued. Romans 12:3-8 talks about the church being one body with many different functions. I really want to see the church become like this group of birds. If everyone would seek God and realize their gift and that it has been given to encourage the church, how awesome would life be together as a body of believers?

2) I watched these beautiful waves just crash into the cliffs today. The beach always is such a clear evidence to me that God exists. Romans 1:18-23 talks about the wrath of God being revealed through His creation. It was so evident to see these powerful waves crash into the the wall and come to their end in an instant. God's wrath is real and I hope that people come to trust in Christ alone to save them from the wrath they so rightly deserve.

3) I always wanted to be able to dim the sun and look at the form, structure, and even the texture of it, but God created it to where we can't stare at it without our eyes being damaged. God the Father is a Spirit that if we were able to look at would shatter our eyes in an instant. The sun was a reminder of that to me today. 

4) I love the beauty of the ocean top. Watching it is like medicine for my soul. However, there is a whole other world I often forget about in the ocean. It is something i do not understand. Why can't I breathe underwater? Why are there all those other kinds of creatures under there? All I know is that it is a vast mystery of God that I can rejoice in not understanding.

5) The clouds were forming over head, but not blocking the sun. In the Old Testament God would be with Israel in the form of clouds. I think that this is a constant reminder, especially for me through this divorce process, that God is with us.

I love Jesus. He is real. Because we are sinners, by birth, we have a fractured relationship with Him. He sent Jesus, perfect man & perfect God, to take our punishment on the cross. Whoever puts their complete trust in Him and his sacrifice will be seen perfect in God's eyes and will spend eternity in Heaven, instead of eternal punishment. Peace!!

Are you New?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

On February 9, 2005 I trusted in Jesus Christ with all my life. This was not an, "Ok...I believe a set of facts; Jesus died and was resurrected 3 days later for my sins so I can go to heaven. This is not TRUST!! To truly be regenerate (born again) we must have a complete trust in Jesus Christ.

When this happens, something crazy will follow. You will change. The old nasty person you once were will start rapidly changing and conforming into the image of Jesus Christ. This should be unstoppable!! We are given God the Holy Spirit when we trust in Jesus. This combined with our understanding of our salvation and what we were saved from (eternal torment), should produce good works (James 2:14-26; please read).

When I trusted in the works and person of Jesus Christ, I had friends who did the same...I think. However, there has been no visual change in their lives. When I ask them about their relationship w/ Jesus they usually say, "What do you expect Wes...reading the Bible and praying isn't for everyone. You are the weird pastor dude!!!" This kills me inside, because trusting in Christ is not believing a set of facts so you can get a free ride to heaven, because that will only get you on an elevator that goes down.

Here is a quick litmus test to whether or not you are saved by Jesus:

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.  -1 John 3:9-10   

Yes we all sin, but when you do it purposely thinking that it is okay because Jesus died for you, discipline will take place, if you are saved. We must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20, please read, even post on your wall), and be in the offensive mode of killing sin. Really...KILL SIN! It is nasty and destroying this world from the inside out.

If you have not trusted in Jesus, please let me or someone who has know. It will be the best decision you can and will ever make.  

Good Friday To-Do-List

Good Friday is the day of celebration of Jesus’ crucifixion.  It is by far the most important day in the history of the world. What makes it good? The fact that Jesus, 100% God/100% man, took on all the wrath that ALL mankind deserves in exchange for our freedom.  All who TRUST in Him (trusting that He did die for our sins and rose 3 days later so we can have eternal life with Him) will be saved from the eternal wrath of God.

With this being said, and without me rambling on for hours, Good Friday should be a day of meditating on what was accomplished through the cross. I believe this should be done everyday, but at least we should celebrate this whole day. I will be making Friday a full day off and giving all my thoughts and time to Him. Below I have compiled a list of some ways we can focus and cherish our Lord and Savior. Please take some time and really consider some or all of these, it will not only honor your Creator, but I PROMISE it will make your day better, and even make you fall deeper in love with God.

 

1.    Pray for 30 minutes. This might seem long, but it will go fast and I believe it   will prepare you for the rest of this list. Just talk to Him…then try being completely silent, just listening. Be sure to do this where you won’t be distracted. Turn off your phone as well!

2.                 2.     Read slowly through Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  This is a prophecy written about Jesus approx.       500 years before his birth. Really meditate on each verse and realize that this horrific scene       was for you.

      3.       Read Psalm 22. This is another prophecy pointing to Jesus, 1,000 years prior. Meditate         in these verses as well.

 4.   Read Matthew 26:36-28:20 and John 17-21 (additional reading: Mark 14-16   and Luke 22:39-Luke 24). Read over these as if reading a normal book.

       5.    Read this article: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/119

I have used this for the Bible study I am currently leading and it is a very great study including medical facts of what Jesus went through. Grab a box of tissues, even men as well!!!

6.    Lastly (you can do more if you wish), write a list on your computer, in your  journal, or get it tattooed on you what you learned on Good Friday. I promise this will be life changing. Take some time and pray, thanking Jesus for what he has done for you.