God can do all things. Mar 10:27 Our questions betray our lack of understanding: How can God be everywhere at one time? (Who says God is bound by a body?) How can God hear all the prayers which come to him? (Perhaps his ears are different from yours.) How can God be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? (Could it be that heaven has a different set of physics than earth?) If people down here won't forgive me, how much more am I guilty before a holy God? (Oh, just the opposite. God is always able to give grace when we humans can't—he invented it.) The Great House of God Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33
There are so many temptations we encounter as we strive to lead a life of integrity. One of the greatest influences we have for determining the way we live our lives is the group of people we choose to surround ourselves with. The fact is, we tend to become like the environment we live in. As you spend time with people, you may adopt their styles, values, and their decision-making processes. If you associate with unethical people, you may find yourself progressively struggling with ethical decisions. If you surround yourself with men and women of Godly character, you will find the ethical path much easier to navigate. You probably know this and apply it to the people you befriend, but don't stop there. Join companies, workgroups, and social groups that are made up of people with integrity. Surround yourself with people of integrity and you will find it easier to follow the guidelines that God has set for us in His Word. Jesus’ promise is comprehensive. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
We usually get what we hunger and thirst for. The problem is, the treasures of earth don’t satisfy. The promise is, the treasures of heaven do. Blessed are those, then, who hold their earthly possessions in open palms. Blessed are those who are totally dependent on Jesus for their joy. Our resistance to our Father is childish. God, for our own good, tries to loosen our grip from something that will cause us to fall. But we won’t let go. We say, “No, I won’t give up my weekend rendezvous for eternal joy.” “Trade my drugs and alcohol for a life of peace and a promise of heaven? Are you kidding?” There we are, desperately clutching the very things that cause us grief. It’s a wonder the Father doesn’t give up! From The Applause of Heaven Nothing … in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:39
We want to know how long God's love will endure… Not just on Easter Sunday when our shoes are shined and our hair is fixed… Not when I'm peppy and positive and ready to tackle world hunger. Not then. I know how he feels about me then. Even I like me then. I want to know how he feels about me when I snap at anything that moves, when my thoughts are gutter-level, when my tongue is sharp enough to slice a rock. How does he feel about me then? … Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? God answered our question before we asked it. So we'd see his answer, he lit the sky with a star. So we'd hear it, he filled the night with a choir; and so we'd believe it, he did what no man had ever dreamed. He became flesh and dwelt among us. He placed his hand on the shoulder of humanity and said, "You're something special." In the Grip of Grace (Max Lucado) The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy
to please. James 3:17 The heart of Jesus was pure. The Savior was adored by thousands, yet content to live a simple life. He was cared for by women (Luke 8:1-3), yet never accused of lustful thoughts; scorned by his own creation, but willing to forgive them before they even requested his mercy. Peter, who traveled with Jesus for three and a half years, described him as a "lamb, unblemished and spotless" (1 Peter 1:19 NASB). After spending the same amount of time with Jesus, John concluded, "And in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5 NIV). Jesus' heart was peaceful. The disciples fretted over the need to feed the thousands, but not Jesus. He thanked God for the problem. The disciples shouted for fear in the storm, but not Jesus. He slept through it. Peter drew his sword to fight the soldiers, but not Jesus. He lifted his hand to heal. His heart was at peace. Just Like Jesus (Max Lucado) “But, ma’am,” I pleaded, “I’ve got to be in Houston this evening.” She was patient but firm. “I’m sorry, sir, the rules say passengers must be at the gate ten minutes before scheduled departure time.” “I know the rules,” I said. “I’m not asking for justice; I’m asking for mercy!”
She didn’t give it to me. She didn’t give me mercy, but God does. Even though by the “book” I’m guilty, by God’s love I get another chance. Even though by the law I’m indicted, by mercy I’m given a fresh start. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved. . .not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). No other world religion offers such a message. Others say, “You do this, and God will give you that.” Christ’s kingdom is just the opposite. A kingdom where membership is granted, not purchased! You are placed into God’s kingdom! He gives you, not justice, but mercy! From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado I have a sweater I never wear. It’s too small. Some of the buttons are missing, the thread is frazzled. I should throw it away. I’ll never wear it again. Logic says to clear out the space, get rid of the sweater. But love won’t let me.
What’s unusual about it? It wasn’t produced on an assembly line. It’s the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love. That sweater is unique. It’s one of a kind. It can’t be replaced. And although the sweater has lost all of its use, it’s lost none of its value. That must have been what the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). You were knitted together. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Craftsman. From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying. Heb 12:3
Heaven was not foreign to Jesus. He is the only person to live on earth after he had lived in heaven. As believers, you and I will live in heaven after time on earth, but Jesus did just the opposite. He knew heaven before he came to earth. He knew what awaited him upon his return. And knowing what awaited him in heaven enabled him to bear the shame on earth. He "accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him" (Heb 12:2 ). In his final moments, Jesus focused on the joy God put before him. He focused on the prize of heaven. By focusing on the prize, he was able not only to finish the race but to finish it strong. Just Like Jesus (by: Max Lucado) I pray that you … will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Eph 3:18
There is no way our little minds can comprehend the love of God. But that didn't keep him from coming… From the cradle in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem we've pondered the love of our Father. What can you say to that kind of emotion? Upon learning that God would rather die than live without you, how do you react? How can you begin to explain such passion? In the Grip of Grace (Max Lucado) By his power to rule all things, he will change our simple bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Php 3:21
What do we know about our resurrected bodies? They will be unlike any we have ever imagined. Will we look so different that we aren't instantly recognized? Perhaps. (We may need nametags.) Will we be walking through walls? Chances are we'll be doing much more. Will we still bear the scars from the pain of life? The marks of war. The disfigurements of disease. The wounds of violence. Will these remain on our bodies? That is a very good question. Jesus, at least for forty days, kept his. Will we keep ours? On this issue, we have only opinions, but my opinion is that we won't. Peter tells us that "by his wounds you have been healed" (1Pe 2:24 NIV). In heaven's accounting, only one wound is worthy to be remembered. And that is the wound of Jesus. Our wounds will be no more. When Christ Comes (by: Max Lucado) |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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