Jer. 45-47; Ps. 105; John 21

  
JOHN 21: This chapter has always puzzled me. Why are the disciples fishing back in Galilee after having seen the resurrected Christ and being commissioned by Him? Then when they see Jesus how can they not recognize Him. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.” (John 21:4) After all, this isn’t the first time they have seen him after His death and resurrection. The first thing that always comes to my mind is, “shouldn’t they be out caring for the church?” Maybe they were taking a day off to go sports fishing. Ok, seriously my friends; Some day this might be clearer but for now we can clearly see Christ working in their lives. This starts with His provision to the disciples, “He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" “No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:5-6) Jesus always meets us where we are at and takes us to the next level whether that is in provision or in spiritual development. He goes on to further affirm Peter and the call on his life even while seemingly challenging him three times.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:15-19)

God has a place for all of us in His ministry so I ask you these questions:

• What area of ministry has the Lord called you to?
• What is the gifting you see or others see in your life that He has given to you?
• How can you put those gifts to work in your church family?
• How can you get started?

See you all on the ministry field.

Blessings,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: Jer. 48,49; Ps. 67; 1 John 1

Jer. 10-12; John 14

John 14 is such an incredible passage filled with promises. I am always brought back to a sense of simplicity about the Gospel and the ways of the Lord every time I read this. Jesus lays it all out so well. First we see that Jesus is preparing a place for us and that the ONLY way to heaven is through Him. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me….” (John 14: 1-6) The weight of verse 6 is enormous; Jesus is the ONLY way! As we read on we see the introduction of the Holy Spirit and all that He will bring. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

I can only imagine the confusion the disciples must have had at this time with Christ talking about leaving and sending the Holy Spirit. Fortunately for us we have the printed Bible to read and we can see the “BIG BICTURE”. There is a deep joy and assurance, because of the coming of the Holy Spirit. We will be kept in Jesus and as Jesus is fully in the Father, we will also know the way to the Father. While we are here in this weak body made of flesh and bones we also have the Spirit of God inside us so we should be encouraged as we are not in this fight alone!



Thank you Lord for your Love and Grace….Amen
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: Jer. 13-15; John 15

Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3

 
The hero of all heroes….

I never read comics as a kid but if I did I’m sure none of the super heroes in them could have compared to Jesus. For example look at the imagery we see here.

He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

According to what they have done,
so will he repay
wrath to his enemies
and retribution to his foes;
he will repay the islands their due.

From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD,
and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory…” (Isaiah 59:17-19)

It is like the best action hero movie Hollywood could ever plan to make. Jesus has already done so much for us and He will continue to stand in the gap for us right up until the day He comes back. I love what the end of Isaiah says, “…this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD. (Isaiah 59:21) While Jesus has come to us to be our Redeemer, He has also given us a great gift for daily living. The Spirit of God has come to be our Sanctifier: thus the Comforter shall abide with the church for ever, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16.) Remember the cause of the Redeemer shall gain complete victory on earth, and the believer will be more than conqueror when the Lord receives him to His glory in heaven.


Be Blessed,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

2 Kings 11,12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6

I Timothy 6 shares with us an outlook that may seem at first glance foreign to us. While Slavery is not prevalent today, as it was in the 1600-1900, here in the US or in biblical days over in the Middle East, the principles talked about are obvious: Respect the boss. Ephesians 6:5-8 says we should sincerely obey, respect, and serve a boss as if he were Christ Himself. The part that is so hard for us (our flesh) is scripture doesn’t say our boss must first act like Christ before being given that respect. It would be so much easier to serve if all leaders/bosses were gracious but that just isn’t how things always work out. Later, in Timothy, we see that there truly is something wonderful about taking our eyes off this world and its “THINGS” and setting our eyes and hearts on things of eternal life. Being rich whether monetarily or in power (as the boss) means nothing when compared to the riches of heaven. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

So, as believers, we should serve with twice the diligence and cheerfulness, because of our faith in Christ, and as partakers of His free salvation.



Blessings,
Pastor Jason

Next Reading: Joel 1-3; 2 Tim. 1

Joshua 12-14; I Corinthians 7

"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." I Corinthians 7:23

As we approach Good Friday and Easter, we seem to focus more on the price that was paid for us, but really, remembering this great price is something that we should constantly bring to the front of our thinking, the 'high price' that was paid for God to purchase you and me. It says in John 3:16 that, "God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY begotten Son." We must not take lightly the price paid for us. August, 1871, C.H. Spurgeon preached a sermon, Bought With a Price, he said "there was something inestimably precious paid for you; and ye need scarcely that I remind you that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without spot." We were not purchased or redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold, but with the precious, powerful blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. The New Living Translation puts it this way, "God purchased you at a high price. Don't be enslaved by the world." The Greek says, "Don’t become slaves to people." Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church, reminding them to keep their priorities in order and do not become slaves to people in relationships--that living a life that is honoring to God as holy followers of Christ, we are honoring the great price that was paid on the cross. In Chapter 7, in context of marriage and family, that the best life lived is one solely given to serve God. The greatest appreciation we give to God for this great gift, is to live a holy life, a life set aside, focused on bringing glory to Him. Pastor Rick spoke about 'putting on' a new wardrobe yesterday, (if you didn't hear that message, I encourage you to listen to it this week as it really puts feet to this portion of scripture). When we take off the old man, the old ways (read Colossians 3) we are able to make way for the new work that the Lord wants to do in and through us BECAUSE of the power of what He did on the cross. We can 'supernaturally' experience tender mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness and so much more when we are not slaves to our own selves. So today, my prayer is that we would not live as if we were our own, but as those purchased with the great price of Christ's blood and that we will glorify God in our body and our spirit, remembering we belong to Him!

Be blessed today...Carol Danna
Next Reading: Josh 15-17; I Corinthians 8