“They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.” Thus John 19:17 records a dark moment in the history of man almost two thousand years ago.
Just a few years ago millions of people were able to watch that scene again when the movie, “The Passion of Christ” was released. And people were - and still are - affected in many ways from watching that graphic portrayal.
In Matthew 10:38 Jesus says, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’”
You see, there’s more to just watching a movie or talking about Jesus carrying His cross to Golgotha and being nailed there for the sins of the world. That isn’t going to do me any good unless I am willing to take up the cross and carry it daily.
Jesus didn’t ask me to be nailed to a cross. He didn’t ask me to die for Him, although it could come to that and has for many who have died for their faith in Christ. We know that Christians in all ages have been persecuted in many ways. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “all who desire to live godly will suffer persecution.” And in Revelation 2:10, Jesus said, “be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
But, most of all, Jesus asks me to LIVE for Him. And sometimes that becomes more of a challenge than standing in front of someone holding a gun to my head and asking if I believe in Jesus. Consider again the words of Paul in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” We are to be crucified with Jesus but not in the physical way.
Jesus doesn’t ask me to walk the Vis Dolorosa but rather the everyday paths my life leads me to walk. And because He carried that cross and gave Himself up to be crucified, He is able to help me in that walk. Ephesians 4:1 says that we are to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, …” And Jesus calls clearly by His sacrifice on the cross. He calls for us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Are you walking with Him? Have you taken up the cross? Daily?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Some Great Examples of Sacrifice
There are several stories in the Bible of people making sacrifices. Able offered as God instructed, Cain didn’t. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son. At the end of his life,
Samson sacrificed himself to God’s glory. Consider with me some examples of sacrifice in the New Testament.
Matthew 26:6-13 - A woman has “very precious ointment” and uses it to anoint Jesus’ head. It was worth “much.” Some said it was wasted. Jesus said, “...wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” She was willing to sacrifice.
Mark 12:41-44 - Jesus is watching the people put money into the treasury. The “poor widow” puts in “two mites.” Not much but Jesus sees, not the amount, but the sacrifice. “This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury.” Why? She gave “all she had.” Sacrifice!
John 12:1-8 - Jesus is in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary brings in some expensive ointment (spikenard) and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. Judas says it was worth the same as a year’s wages. Many poor people could have been fed, he says. Judas was a thief. Mary gave a sacrifice.
Consider two other examples and their attitudes they showed about sacrifice. The ruler came to Jesus seeking the Way. Jesus showed him. He went away sorrowful because he was not willing to sacrifice. (Luke 18:22) Ananias and Sapphira made a profit on a real estate sale. They brought some to Peter for the Lord’s work. They lied. They died. They didn’t really want to sacrifice. (Acts 5:1-11)
The supreme example of sacrifice, of course, is Jesus, Himself. God was willing to give the best sacrifice available to redeem us from our sins. Where do you and I fit in when it comes to sacrificing for/to the Lord? Jesus says that until we have the attitude of being willing to sacrifice ALL, we are not able to be His disciples.
Think about it.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Samson sacrificed himself to God’s glory. Consider with me some examples of sacrifice in the New Testament.
Matthew 26:6-13 - A woman has “very precious ointment” and uses it to anoint Jesus’ head. It was worth “much.” Some said it was wasted. Jesus said, “...wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” She was willing to sacrifice.
Mark 12:41-44 - Jesus is watching the people put money into the treasury. The “poor widow” puts in “two mites.” Not much but Jesus sees, not the amount, but the sacrifice. “This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury.” Why? She gave “all she had.” Sacrifice!
John 12:1-8 - Jesus is in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary brings in some expensive ointment (spikenard) and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. Judas says it was worth the same as a year’s wages. Many poor people could have been fed, he says. Judas was a thief. Mary gave a sacrifice.
Consider two other examples and their attitudes they showed about sacrifice. The ruler came to Jesus seeking the Way. Jesus showed him. He went away sorrowful because he was not willing to sacrifice. (Luke 18:22) Ananias and Sapphira made a profit on a real estate sale. They brought some to Peter for the Lord’s work. They lied. They died. They didn’t really want to sacrifice. (Acts 5:1-11)
The supreme example of sacrifice, of course, is Jesus, Himself. God was willing to give the best sacrifice available to redeem us from our sins. Where do you and I fit in when it comes to sacrificing for/to the Lord? Jesus says that until we have the attitude of being willing to sacrifice ALL, we are not able to be His disciples.
Think about it.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Bite Your Tongue
We’ve probably all heard the phrase, “I had to bite my tongue.” Usually it is said at a time when someone really wants to say something they know isn’t best to say at the time and it is a struggle not to say it.
You’ve also probably heard the phrase, “Hold your tongue,” when someone is advising a person to not speak. It’s usually said in the context of someone wanting to say something they shouldn’t be saying or they have begun saying something and are told to stop speaking.
James 3:2-12 has some interesting things to say about the tongue. For example, verse 2 says that if anyone “doesn’t stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Verse 5 says the tongue is a “small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things” and is described in verse 6 as a “fire” which “sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” James continues in verse 7 by saying that all sorts of wild animals can be tamed but no one can tame the tongue.
The tongue can destroy relationships. Words spoken in anger or stress are most of the time regretted later after we’ve had time to think about them. How many times have you heard someone say (perhaps it was yourself), “I wish I hadn’t said that.” Remember, a quick tongue is not necessarily a gift.
Then there are the words of encouragement by Paul in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” That’s sort of like saying, “Think about what you are about to say and ‘taste’ your words to see if they are seasoned properly.”
When our speech is “with grace” and “seasoned with salt” we will say things that are good and proper - or we will ‘bite our tongue’ and not say it at all. Sort of like when our parents told us, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” (I hope that is still being taught.)
Our task as Christians is to edify one another and build each other up and be an example of the Light that is Jesus. Let’s be sure our words reflect that and pray that our tongues will be servants of the Most High God.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
You’ve also probably heard the phrase, “Hold your tongue,” when someone is advising a person to not speak. It’s usually said in the context of someone wanting to say something they shouldn’t be saying or they have begun saying something and are told to stop speaking.
James 3:2-12 has some interesting things to say about the tongue. For example, verse 2 says that if anyone “doesn’t stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Verse 5 says the tongue is a “small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things” and is described in verse 6 as a “fire” which “sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” James continues in verse 7 by saying that all sorts of wild animals can be tamed but no one can tame the tongue.
The tongue can destroy relationships. Words spoken in anger or stress are most of the time regretted later after we’ve had time to think about them. How many times have you heard someone say (perhaps it was yourself), “I wish I hadn’t said that.” Remember, a quick tongue is not necessarily a gift.
Then there are the words of encouragement by Paul in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” That’s sort of like saying, “Think about what you are about to say and ‘taste’ your words to see if they are seasoned properly.”
When our speech is “with grace” and “seasoned with salt” we will say things that are good and proper - or we will ‘bite our tongue’ and not say it at all. Sort of like when our parents told us, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” (I hope that is still being taught.)
Our task as Christians is to edify one another and build each other up and be an example of the Light that is Jesus. Let’s be sure our words reflect that and pray that our tongues will be servants of the Most High God.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Just a Teacher
The word for teacher in the Bible is "didaskalos" and refers to one who gives instruction. It denotes those who taught the truth in the churches. It is of utmost importance that those who teach be faithful to the Word they are teaching. Paul urges us to “accurately handle the word of truth” in 2 Timothy 2:15 and James reminds us of the serious responsibility of teaching in James 3:1 saying, “as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”
I want to thank and encourage you who give the time to teach. A teacher’s importance cannot be adequately calculated by any human standards. The results of your efforts can be eternal and God is the one who evaluates that.
Some who give their time to help present God’s word in our Bible classes sometimes think of themselves as ‘just a teacher.’ I offer the following poem as sincere appreciation to those of you who teach.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
I want to thank and encourage you who give the time to teach. A teacher’s importance cannot be adequately calculated by any human standards. The results of your efforts can be eternal and God is the one who evaluates that.
Some who give their time to help present God’s word in our Bible classes sometimes think of themselves as ‘just a teacher.’ I offer the following poem as sincere appreciation to those of you who teach.
Tribute to a Bible Class Teacher
(author unknown)
An artist painted a picture on a canvas white and gray.
Great towering mountains bathed their feet in the ocean’s spray.
Then the world looked on in wonder at the scene her brush had traced,
And this work of art when years had passed, in a hall of fame was placed.
A teacher painted a picture with language in beauty wrought.
She told of a gentle Shepherd and the weak lost lamb He sought.
Yes, she drew a picture of Jesus with colorful words of art,
And the canvas she selected was a young child’s sinless heart.
The picture the artist painted of the mountain, sea and spray
Has, through drifting years, been tarnished by time’s rust and decay;
But the scenes the teacher painted with colored words of prayer
Upon a child’s receptive heart will stay forever there.
Upon a young child’s trusting heart they are etched for years to be,
For paintings of faithful teachers fade not through eternity.
(author unknown)
An artist painted a picture on a canvas white and gray.
Great towering mountains bathed their feet in the ocean’s spray.
Then the world looked on in wonder at the scene her brush had traced,
And this work of art when years had passed, in a hall of fame was placed.
A teacher painted a picture with language in beauty wrought.
She told of a gentle Shepherd and the weak lost lamb He sought.
Yes, she drew a picture of Jesus with colorful words of art,
And the canvas she selected was a young child’s sinless heart.
The picture the artist painted of the mountain, sea and spray
Has, through drifting years, been tarnished by time’s rust and decay;
But the scenes the teacher painted with colored words of prayer
Upon a child’s receptive heart will stay forever there.
Upon a young child’s trusting heart they are etched for years to be,
For paintings of faithful teachers fade not through eternity.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Looking on the Positive Side
Norman Vincent Peale became well known because of his books and speeches on positive thinking. Many people have been helped by his promotion of positive thinking. Years ago I had the opportunity to hear him and other motivational speakers at one of those positive thinking rallies.
Many times we find ourselves in situations when all seems lost. Things just don’t seem to be going our way. We begin thinking negatively. That’s when heroes are made. That’s when one person comes forward and says, “We can do it.” One person with positive thinking can change the whole situation.
It might help us to stop and think about how we view things in our lives. We lose some of life’s battles by looking only on the negative side. Thomas Edison, when asked about how many times he failed to make his electric light work, responded by saying that at least he knew of hundreds of things that would not work.
Paul was in prison when he said in Philippians 1:12-14, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” That’s thinking positively!
And think about Joseph. He kept a positive attitude during his long ordeal and then told his brothers that it was God’s plan that he be in Egypt in order to save his family. What an attitude! He had every reason to be negative about his being sold as a slave but he kept his trust in God and remained positive.
Books are written and rallies with big-name speakers are presented about positive thinking. I enjoyed and benefited from the one I attended. And yet – I have found nothing that promotes a more positive attitude than the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Everything about the gospel and living a Christian life is approached by God in a positive way. It offers the greatest satisfaction and peace of mind. It holds out hope. It builds better relationships. It promotes love and harmony. It delivers from evil.
Jesus has promised an abundant life. He promises a positive outcome to this life if we follow Him and do God’s will. There is nothing negative about heaven - other than there being no tears, no sadness, no sickness, no night, no death. I can handle those negatives, can’t you?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Many times we find ourselves in situations when all seems lost. Things just don’t seem to be going our way. We begin thinking negatively. That’s when heroes are made. That’s when one person comes forward and says, “We can do it.” One person with positive thinking can change the whole situation.
It might help us to stop and think about how we view things in our lives. We lose some of life’s battles by looking only on the negative side. Thomas Edison, when asked about how many times he failed to make his electric light work, responded by saying that at least he knew of hundreds of things that would not work.
Paul was in prison when he said in Philippians 1:12-14, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” That’s thinking positively!
And think about Joseph. He kept a positive attitude during his long ordeal and then told his brothers that it was God’s plan that he be in Egypt in order to save his family. What an attitude! He had every reason to be negative about his being sold as a slave but he kept his trust in God and remained positive.
Books are written and rallies with big-name speakers are presented about positive thinking. I enjoyed and benefited from the one I attended. And yet – I have found nothing that promotes a more positive attitude than the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Everything about the gospel and living a Christian life is approached by God in a positive way. It offers the greatest satisfaction and peace of mind. It holds out hope. It builds better relationships. It promotes love and harmony. It delivers from evil.
Jesus has promised an abundant life. He promises a positive outcome to this life if we follow Him and do God’s will. There is nothing negative about heaven - other than there being no tears, no sadness, no sickness, no night, no death. I can handle those negatives, can’t you?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
