Tag: Heart

Wisdom Vindicated

July 6, 2018

Wisdom Vindicated

I am old enough to understand the meaning of Wisdom. I, like many others have found wisdom in the mistakes we have made in our lifetime. Not that this is useful to anyone but you personally.

It’s like when you see your kids or a friend fixing to do something that in your experience was a mistake. Probably the same thing happened when you advised them of the possibilities that could come from their choice. Someone advised you against your decision and you did it anyway. After you cleaned up the mess you could say with confidence that you have embraced wisdom about that situation.

Wisdom comes from life events. Things we do, things that have been done to us. Every life event is a teaching tool. It can reveal good, or bad.

Knowing that, is defined as wisdom.

Wisdom in the New Testament is taken from the Greek word, sophia. It is defined broadly as, “full of intelligence, and the knowledge of very diverse matters.”

I want to just share a little on Jesus and His attempts to teach the religious community. He was trying by visible experiences to teach them the wisdom of God.

All of us have learned many of these Biblical principles the hard way.

Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

What is Jesus trying to say?

I believe He is saying just watch what happens when people embrace Me. When I open a door for the very ones that you reject.

How many times have you wondered how in the world that someone you knew ever changed their life and embraced Christ with everything they have. You may have believed that nothing could reach them.

What happened was an encounter that helped them understand God’s eternal love, and that He had a purpose for them. This was wisdom at it’s very best.

Here is the story that says it better than me.

Luke 5:29-32

29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”

31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.

32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Many religious folks, even today do not really understand the heart of Jesus. Yes if you have been in church for a while you have heard His word. You know who the sinners are and the failures of life.

Jesus tried to teach us that these folks were the reason He came.

Luke 5:32 Amplified

I did not come to call the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to repent], but sinners to repentance [to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness].”

Message

“Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”

The wisdom that has been vindicated by the work of Jesus goes far beyond the rules and regulations the religious folks impose on people.

It is very important to the followers of Christ that we learn His heart. His love for the sinner, the afflicted, the sick, and the hopeless. It was His heart for them that moved Him beyond religion.

“Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Back to the Basics

August 17, 2017

Back to the Basics

I love the Bible. So many things fascinate me as they are unfolded in the word. When combined with prayer and spiritual revelation we can begin to understand the heart of God.

I love to keep things simple, which is not difficult for me.

I love the church, so from time to time I will speak to things that I believe need attention. This is one of those posts.

In an effort to learn and grow, I think sometimes we forget the basics.

When Jesus was asked by a lawyer to share the greatest commandments, He left the theological definition for another day. He simply shared a basic word that encompassed the entire heart of God.

Matthew 22:37-40

37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the great and foremost commandment.

39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

This passage and it’s meaning has been debated through denominational and theological channels for generations.

How about we quit trying to figure out what we think this means, and simply do what it says.

What if every Christian, in every church in this country, would begin to love God with all their heart, their soul, and their mind? With persistent and consistent passion.

What changes would it make in our lives?. Our relationship with God would move to another level. We would begin to see things like He sees them. Think His thoughts, and speak His words. Awesome.

Then what would happen if we loved everyone like we loved ourselves?

Our country would begin to heal. Different races would find unity as love canceled hate. Political discourse would return to what it used to be. Friendly arguments and discussions over lunch. Our boisterous opinions given, then ending the discussion with a friendly handshake, and I will see you again next week.

Sounds like a dream doesn’t it?

God specializes in making dreams come to pass. It will take a while, but I would challenge everyone that reads this to begin to do what Jesus said to do.

Share these words of Christ with whatever venue you use to reach your friends and family. Keep it simple. Return to the basics.

Love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor like you love yourself.

I believe it will change our world.

Be blessed as you follow Christ.

#inHisname

My heart, To Yours

April 3, 2017

My heart, To Yours

I wanted to share some thoughts today about my responsibility as a pastor, and all of our responsibilities as Christians.

There are those who tend to complicate these issues. Wrapping them around theological issues and statements of faith. This approach is ok for those who enjoy the depth of the scriptures and the plan of God for our lives.

I am one of those who digs deeper and deeper as time goes by. Looking at the church fathers and writings from the Apostles who studied and followed the original 12, and throughout over 2000 years of writings from church fathers, desert fathers and so on.

There is so much great stuff available. It is awesome. With that said, the Bible is my heart and my life as I follow Christ. It is knowing Him. The Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Back to my original point. As a Pastor I believe that we all must take on the heart of Jesus. He looked beyond the religious community and their acceptance of people. He offered His love and compassion to everyone He came in contact with.

The world today is raging with controversy. Even in the church world people are divided by boundaries and theology.

Before I go further, I have never been a fan of the reformation. It had to happen, but it created an historical divide in Christianity. At the time there were basically 2 recognized churches. Catholic and Orthodox.

Today, the most recent statistics I could find, tell us that there are over 41,000 different denominations and religious institutions. Many of these are related to each other, still there is too much room for division.

There are many praying in intercession today to tear down these walls of division. Revival is coming. With all my heart I believe it.

The Gospel is simple in nature, yet profound in accomplishment. The story of Jesus, His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension is the Gospel message. It has changed the lives of millions when delivered in that form. It will continue to do so today.

To take on His heart means I have to care about others. Every Christian has this responsibility.

Not only to care, but we must endeavor to help in what ways we can.

Prayer is the most effective way to join people together, and feel the burden of those who need us.

Prayer softens our heart and moves our will, to His will. It will reveal your purpose and the steps you must take to fulfill it.

One of the things that the Holy Spirit moves in me is a burden for those who are struggling. Often I don’t even know the reason, but when prompted to pray, I do so.

Many times it is a physical drain as intercession cries out from my heart to His.

I want so much to help, yet often I can only pray. God positions healing, and answers as we intercede in prayer.

From feeding thousands and healing the sick. Encouraging the hopeless, and teaching His followers, Christ taught us how to care.

How can we turn our face from the tragedies in this world and call ourselves, followers of Christ.

Start in your local area and begin to pray. The Holy Spirit will open a path for you to follow.

It will lead you to more prayer, and intercession. It may also lead you to someone in need. Be ready. He will test your faith.

I am praying everyday for His love, mercy, and grace to move throughout this world.

Remember this. It moves through us. He loves, through us. Heals, through us. Reveals Himself, through us.

We are the light of the world. We must shine the light of Jesus.

Be blessed this day. In Jesus name I pray.

#lovewins #hopelives