20151107 MIRACLES

MIRACLES

Matthew 11:21-24 "What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.  (22)  I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.  (23)  "And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.  (24)  I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you."

Jesus shows here that God will take a person’s life circumstances into consideration as He passes judgment. And it appears that there will be degrees to eternal judgment.

The more important thing for us as believers to consider is that rewards in heaven will be by degree according to how we have lived. (See 1Corinthians 3:12-15) In the passage above Jesus points to the miracles He performed in these cities. The judgment He speaks of is because of their reaction, or lack thereof, to His miracles. He works miracles around us every day. Creation, the air we breathe, the many processes of our bodies are all miracles.

Are your eyes open to see them? Do you give them any thought? Do you look to Him daily expecting miracles, not only for yourself but also for those around you? Are you facing today with anticipation or dread? Do you believe He is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do?

Father in heaven, thank You for another day. Thank You for the gifts of Your

Son and Your Holy Spirit. Open our eyes today to see Your handy work all about us and open our hearts to live in anticipation of what You will do this day. And may we be found willing to join You in Your miraculous plans. In Jesus Name AMEN!!!

20150810 KEEPING HIS NAME HOLY

KEEPING HIS NAME HOLY

Matthew 6:9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.

As I said in our last writing, God wants us to pray according to His will. Jesus gave us the Model Prayer, or what some call The Lord’s Prayer. Many people can quote this portion of scripture and do so often without giving much thought to what is being said. When we do that we babble as mentioned in verse 7. So, it is worth our time to take this passage verse by verse.

The prayer begins by naming who we are praying to, “Our Father in heaven,” our Creator who reigns and rules from the highest heavens.

The first thing Jesus told us to pray is for our Father’s name to be kept holy. Most of us would not consider using any of God’s names in vain, or in a swearing manner. We may even speak up if we hear someone else use His name like this. But, do we keep His name holy (to separate from profane things -THAYER)? This, like the other teachings here begin in our hearts and therefore, I quote again Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Is there, toward God, any awe in you when you pray? When you worship? When you wake up each day? Are you driven to moments of gratefulness and praise because you recognize God’s handiwork? Psalms 8:3-4  When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—the moon and the stars You set in place— (4)  what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?

Do you remember throughout your day that the Holy Spirit is with you and in you at all times? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, (20) for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” That means what you say, what you do, what you think should all honor God by keeping His name holy.

So when we pray, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy,” we are asking for us, all of us to do just that, keep His name holy.

A thought to ponder… If it were against the law to be a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? Is His name holy in your thoughts, words, deeds?

Father in heaven, make this true in our lives, our thoughts, words and actions. Be glorified in us and through us. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!