Don't be afraid, Only Believe

A woman who had just returned from a trip to Mexico called the Los Angeles police to report that a rattlesnake was loose in her overnight bag. Police went rushing to the scene with sirens screaming. They approached the bag which the woman had heaved out of a window onto the sidewalk. Cautiously, they scattered the contents of the bag—only to find that the rattle was caused by an electric toothbrush, accidentally turned on!  (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979)

Life can be downright scary sometimes, we can be faced with all sorts of circumstances that can hit us at some very inopportune times.  Luke 8:40-ff., records a great fear that Jarius faced.  Jarius was a dad whose 12 year old is very sick, in fact so sick that he had now sought out Jesus to help.  Jesus is traveling back with Jarius and they are momentarily delayed because another sick lady touched Jesus' garment and was healed (which is amazing in itself, but not the focus today).  During this brief delay, messengers come to inform Jarius that his 12 year old has now passed on.  Parent's worst nightmare:  Jarius' greatest fear has now come true.  Someone from his home was so helpful *sarcastically said*:

^49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” (S. Lk 8:49)

Wow, think I'd fire that person, anyway, as I said Jarius' greatest fear as a parent just came true.  As soon as the person says this to him, Jesus turns to him and responds:

^50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (NIV, Lk 8:50)

Those words resonate, and let them marinate for a minute, "Don't be afraid, just believe".  Read them again, again, and again.

Fear grips us, controls us, paralyzes us.  Jesus Says, "Don't be afraid, just believe".  Life is scary, life is full of surprises, and life, well, is life.  Jesus wants us to life in faith and by faith.  The next time you are faced with fear, remember:  "Don't be afraid, just believe".

oh and by the way, "the end of the story" is Jesus goes to Jarius' house, takes the 12 year old by the hand, and tells her to get up and (surprise) she goes from death to life......all because Jarius believed.

have a great day, Chris

Get out of here Jesus!!

^34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, ^35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ^36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. ^37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.  (Lk 8:34-37, NIV)

There was a demon possessed man living in Gerasenes, so full of madness that he was kept under guard, in chains, and away from the town in caves (tombs).  He had managed to get himself loose, escape from the guards, and find Jesus.  When he found Jesus, Jesus asked him his name, you know this one, "Legion" he said because many demons had gotten hold of him.  The demons trembled and begged Jesus to allow them to enter a herd a pigs.  They did, pigs ran down a hill, jumped a cliff, and drown.  An unbelievable scene!  Eyewitnesses saw and shared.

Sad thing is that when we can't explain something, when it's beyond our comprehension, we get scared.  They did and in response they said, "GET OUT OF HERE JESUS" (vs. 37b).  Jesus does not, nor will He ever force Himself on anyone, so the sad thing is that He left (vs. 37c).  A real lesson for us here, the more we push Jesus out of our lives, families, state, and country, the more we keep showing Him in our actions and words that He's not wanted anymore:  He will leave.

Just food for thought, have a good weekend, Go and worship Jesus somewhere, let Him know that you don't want Him to go anywhere!!

chris

Where is your FAith??????

^22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ^23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

^24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ^25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Lk 8:22-25, NIV)

 

I really needed this devotion today.  You ever had one of those days, weeks, or hey it may even be a month where you find yourself saying, "good grief, could it possibly get any worse", where it seems absolutely nothing is going right.  Don't you just hate it when everything seems to be going good, then bam something comes up.

The Disciples where having some "good" days, Jesus was teaching them and they where just soaking it in.  Jesus tells them "hey, hop in the boat and let's take a little trip over to the other side of the lake", they trust Jesus of course and the sailing seems to be smooth.  They are out in the middle of the lake, no land to see (not just cause it was dark, but because they where a good distance away), and a storm comes out of no where, really caught them by suprise.  Boy, I get that .... don't you?  everything is smooth sailing and BAM, something catches you off guard.  Their first response, and normally ours, is to push the panic button.  Now during all of this Jesus is taking a nap, resting from a long day.  Snoozing right through the storm...Disciples run and wake him up... you can imagine the panic on their face, the look of worry in their eyes, and them yelling, "WE ARE GOING TO DIE!!!!!!"  mellow dramitic huh?  Jesus doesn't say anything initially, simply walks to the edge of the boat and rebuked the storm, turns to them and says, "where is your faith?" egads....

Sometimes it seems the storm is taking over our life, sometimes it seems absolutely nothing is going right, sometimes it seems gray with no hope of sunshine.... i get that, we all get that, we have all been there.

We HAVE to remember in the midst of everything in life, that Jesus is there.  I wished i could tell you that He ALWAYS calms the storm, but truth is He doesn't always, sometimes, but not always.  The thing is even if He chooses not to rebuke the problems in our life, will we still Trust Him, because that is what faith is.  So, where is your faith?

 

have a great day, Chris

Seeds

⁴ One day Jesus told this story to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: ⁵ “A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds came and ate it. ⁶ Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. This seed began to grow, but soon it withered and died for lack of moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades. ⁸ Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted.” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!” (Lk 8:4-8, NLT)

One of the most common ways Jesus taught was by parables, the Sower lesson is a Parable, aka using a realistic story to explain a spiritual truth.  The awesome thing about Parables is that Jesus would explain the Parable to His disciples, read on:

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the story: The seed is God’s message. ¹² The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved. ¹³ The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. ¹⁴ The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. ¹⁵ But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest. (Lk 8:11-15, NLT)

According to this parable you and i fall into one of four areas:

1. You do not believe
2. You started to believe then gave up
3. You believe, but are not being productive
4. You believe, and are being productive

That's pretty self explanitory, don't see the need to expound.  You know where you are and where you need to be.

have a blessed day, Chris

The Hand that Rocked the Church

^6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. ^7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. ^8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.

^9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

^10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. ^11 But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. (Lk 6:6-11, NIV)

 

Now this is my own personal statement, but i really think Jesus got a kick out of ticking the Pharisees off.  Ok maybe, its not completely true, but maybe He at least smirked.  Jesus really called the Pharisees to the carpet many times, and He had excellent points and lessons every time He did. 

 

A man was in the audience (congregation) that day that had a paralyzed hand, the Pharisees wanted to bust Jesus for "healing" on the Sabbath (because your not supposed to work on Sabbath, and "healing" is "working"), and guess what Jesus gave them just what they wanted.  Before he healed the man Jesus gave an excellent point:  Sabbath is the day to do good and to save lives.  Instead of being happy or amazed the Pharisees where angry and began their plot about what to do to Jesus.

 

Ok so here is the point:  don't be a hypocrite when it comes to the Sabbath, don't complain about people not observing the Sabbath and go out to eat somewhere (why? because your causing someone to work).  Be thankful your Pastor and Staff Pastor's work on Sunday's (aka protestant Sabbath), cause hey we're doing good.

 

God gave us the Sabbath as a day to rest, recover, reflect on Him.  For some their Sabbath is Sunday's (but it's definitely not a day of rest for most of us pastor's), for some theirs is Saturday's, or it may be any other day of the week.  The point of the Sabbath is that you and I would take at least one day to rest, recover, and Reflect on God.

 

Just be careful to not be too dogmatic or hypocritical when it comes to the Sabbath, the Pharisees where and Jesus really frowned upon it.

 

Have a blessed day.....Chris

Guess whose coming to dinner?

^29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. ^30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”

^31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ^32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Lk 5:29-32, NIV)

 

Right before this an amazing thing happened, Jesus is walking along, spots Levi and simply tells him, "Follow me".  What's amazing is that he does, in fact vs. 28 tells us he left everything and goes.  Levi is so grateful for Jesus, that he wants Him to come to his home for dinner and introduce his "friends" to Jesus.  Sound familiar, it should because we should want to introduce our friends to Jesus as well. 

 

Anyway, Jesus saw this as a great opportunity to try to help others who needed to know him.  However, the "religous people" of the time felt they were not "worth" reaching out to.  Does this sound familiar, it should Jonah got mad at God for helping the people of Ninevah, because he felt they were not "worth" reaching.  I love Jesus' response in vs. 31 and 32.  It's one of those "oh snap" moments. 

 

The Religious people had lost sight of what it was there were supposed to me doing, reaching out to those in need.  If we are not careful the same thing can happen to us, we can get comfortable in our "churchy" surroundings, with our "churchy" friends around us, and only hanging out with "churchy" people.  When this happens we lose sight of what we are supposed to be doing:  inviting them to have dinner with Jesus.

 

please note i have taught and do still firmly believe you are who you hang with, and the Bible clearly teaches that we are not to be "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, but that doesn't mean that you aren't around any.

 

have a blessed day, and go to worship somewhere this weekend, and invite a friend :)

 

chris

To Save A life

Got to ask you something serious:  How far are you willing to go to save a life?  STOP, before you go any further read that question again.  OK, we are surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors.  Some of them you are probably willing to do almost anything for.  Some of them you would give them your last dime, you might give them what you have to eat, you may put gas in their car for them, you may let them borrow your favorite jewelry or book.  If they needed a blood transfusion you would probably do it, if they needed a kidney or a liver you may do it, how bout a bone marrow transplant? 

If you knew they would be injured in a house fire or in a car wreck, what would you do?  Would you try to stop it, would you warn them, would you beg them not to go?  Of course you would, because your a friend.

The unfortunate thing is that alot of people we know are going to die and go to a place called Hell, and we sit back and say nothing.....

read below about some friends to where willing to do whatever it took "To Save a Life"

^18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ^19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

^20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (Lk 5:18-20)

 

This paralyzed man had to depend upon his close friends to get him to Jesus.  He believed that if they could get Him to Jesus, he would be healed; what great faith he had.  When they arrived at the home Jesus was in it was so packed they couldn't even get close.  At this point I'm afraid most of us would have given up, but not them.  They hoisted him up on the roof (if you have ever picked up dead weight, you'll understand how difficult that is), and dug a hole through the roof and lowered him down.  Jesus seeing their love and determination not only healed this man physically but healed him Spiritually.

 

Huge lesson to be learned here, be a true friend....do whatever it takes...don't sit back and allow people around you to die and not spend eternity with you and me in heaven. 

 

Not if you go to worship tonight, but as you go to worship tonight bring a friend, family member, neighbor.  You can make a difference, you can make an impact, you can be a true friend!!!

 

blessings, and go somewhere to worship tonight, it's in your best interest :)

 

chris

Gone Fishing

Let's get one thing straight i have never been nor will i ever been mistaken as someone who fishes alot.  I have fished some, mind you, but it has never really been "my thing".  Some people do as a stress reliever, others may do it for the food, some fish for a living, and i think some do "just cause".  I have been fishing several times in my life, one of the most memorable ones was fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, which was over 15 years ago i believe.  Patience is the key, and of course having the right bait for the right fish.  I figured out over time that there is a HUGE difference between fishing and catching.  Simon had dealt with the same thing in Luke chapter 5:

^4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

^5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

^6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ^7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

^8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ^9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ^10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (Lk 5:4-11, NIV)

 

I have walked away from fishing more times frustrated than i have happy.  Simon had a long night of frustration, he fished a long hard night and ended up with nothing (i know that feeling well).  After a long, hard night he pulls up to the shore, Jesus says go back out and drop the nets.  Simon, somewhat reluctantly does, and vs. 6 tells us that the nets where so fully he had to call for back up.  Simon Realizes the magnitude of what happened falls at Jesus' feet cause he realized He was Lord.  Jesus Says to Him (paraphrased), "you think this is good, go now and fish for men and be even more amazed".

 

Not only is it frustrating to fish for fish, but fishing for mankind can even be more frustrating.  We have the best food (bait) there is to offer, Eternity with the God who created them.  But yet, far too many don't want to hear it, don't want to accept it, and want nothing to do with Him.  The key to being a fisher of man, as well as Fisher of fish is found in one word:  Patience.  Sometimes the wait is long, but the reward is awesome!!

 

Matthew being a fisher of men

Brittany Being a fisher of men

As a youth pastor their is nothing more exciting than seeing my student's Being Fisher's of Men

I may not be great at fishing for fish, but now I'm "Gone Fishing" and I'm fishing for men!!

Peace, Chris