Tree Climbers Unite

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way ~ Luke 19:1-4 ~

Being a tax collector in those days meant being a person that cheated people, lied, and took advantage of others. Being wealthy, or rather having a love of money, was probably worse as it kept people from seeing their need of God. Our sin keeps us from seeing God's truths. Like Zacchaeus we need to get above the crowds, the noise, and the distractions of life so we can get our eyes fixed on Jesus, as the only way to open our eyes to the truth is when we look at Him. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life..." Obviously climbing a tree is not going to work today, but getting alone and spending quiet time in prayer does. Need to see things clearly? Put your faith and trust in the Lord. Jesus said in John 12:44-46  “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. (God) I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (or sin)

So find a tree and fix your eyes on Jesus!

Trust God and do Good.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12 ~

 

What beautiful poetry. What a beautiful promise. Not only does God promise to bless His children with an eternal crown of life but He enables them to endure the testing and temptations of life between now and then. Praise God in all His glory. 

Worldly vs. godly testimonies...

Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life ~ 1 John 5:10 ~

A testimony is simply a eyewitness account of something you saw, or an account of something that happened. I might testify in court to a crime I witnessed. Or my wife my give a testimony to how good her new hand cream works. People give testimonies all the time, teenagers especially give testimonies of things they did, or things they watched such as movies. The only testimony that really has any value or eternal benefit however, is the testimony God has placed in your heart concerning Jesus Christ. How often do you share what Jesus did for you compared to worldly testimonies?

 

The word testimony intimidates or hinders some people from sharing Jesus, so if that's you just remember, whether you realize it or not you give testimonies everyday, sharing a godly testimony is simply making a conscious decision to to share Jesus instead of things of no value. Here is an example of an easy way to testify "I woke up this morning feeling really bad but God reminded me of who I am in Jesus and it changed my whole day" Just be sincere and honest. You don't have to start by preaching the whole Bible, if you have the desire to share Jesus and start with small testominies, God will increase you and give you words to share more when you are ready. Matthew 12:36 tells us, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken"

 

 



What's in Hello?

 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father ~ Galatians 1:3-4 ~

The Church had been planted in Galatia but now false teachers were starting to pop up teaching salvation by works, or earning your way to heaven, and many Christians were being led astray. True Grace is a gift from God, giving you what you don't deserve, true Peace like Grace, is also something only the Lord can provide.
What's this got to do with hello? I am glad you asked.
 

Grace is the 'source of salvtion' and peace is the 'result of salvation' By saying 'Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ' Paul identifies that grace and peace are of God not good works, also it signifies the Father and the Son are two parts of the Trinity with equal deity. By adding 'who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us' Paul identifies the purpose of Jesus coming was to be a sin offering, that Jesus Christ is the only source of Grace, and without Him we would still be in bondage. Jesus dying for us was a rescue mission!
 

The common greeting of that time was 'Chara' or Joy. This distinctly Christian greeting of grace and peace, held special meaning and significance. The law system of the Judaizers (good works) provided NO grace or peace, so the very teachings of salvation by works was attacked in this simple greeting. If salvation is of works than it is not of grace (a gift) Romans 4:4-5

 

The people of Galatia were turning away from the Gospel message of Jesus Christ by grace, and turning back to false teachers, false doctrines, and back to the law (religion), this special greeting reminded people that without Christ's atoning death and resurrection the Gospel Messsage would be worthless and people would still be in their sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)

By adding 'according to the will of our God and Father' confirms grace is a gift and not of works, also God is a Father to those whom receive Him "But to as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" John 1:12-13
 

Paul's greeting was carefully thought out. What about you? How do you greet people? Hey, Hi, Hello, Waz up? How's it going? Today is no different, so many have turned, and are turning, to their own strength for salvation, even after hearing of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
 

So the challenge is this...
 

This week greet people by saying "Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" Yeah, your going to get some looks and some comments, but hopefully it will open a door for you to explain the Gospel Message and remind people in order to be rescued they need Jesus!

What's a Fish Gate?

"On that day," declares the LORD, "a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills. Wail, you who live in the market district, all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with silver will be ruined. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent...".

 ~ Zephaniah 1;10-12 ~

The Fish gate was a gate people would go through through to get to the market place or the New Quarter, it was probably located closest to the fish portion of the market, hence the name. The market place back then was a very corrupt place and would be much like going to the mall today. A place where people can be very greedy and self centered. Both buyers and sellers, full of vanity and pride, lust, and greed. Many then and many still today think God does not punish or reward since they had not yet seen Him do it, in the day of the Lord however, God's judgement will come upon those who want nothing to do with the atoning sacrifice of Jesus but instead are more interested in shopping, taking advantage of each, the latest fashion trends, eating and drinking, money, entertainment, and finding the easy life. 

There is another gate however, Jesus said in Matthew 7:13 "enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter it"

Not only is Jesus the gate, He is also the shepherd. When a shepherd wants to lead his sheep out to graze, he comes through the gate and calls his sheep. Even if his sheep are mixed with another flock, only his sheep will follow him out of the gate. Sheep won't be deceived into following another shepherd because they recognize their shepherd's voice. They know to whom they belong. 

Jesus is the narrow gate! In John 10:9 Jesus say's, " I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved"

in John 10;1 Jesus tells us, ""Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, the person who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a bandit"

You can only choose one... which gate will you enter?

    

God ain't playin'

But to the wicked, God says: “What right have you to recite my law or take my covenant on your lips? You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether  like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” ~ Psalm 50:16-33 ~

Galatians 6:7 tells us, " Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Have you ever heard an ungodly person verbally quote scripture, seen them post Bible verses on the Internet, or share how God has blessed them with this or that? Well, that's what God is talking about here. He says in so many words "don't confuse my patience with you thinking your getting away with living in sin, when I decide the time is right, I will pour out my wrath on you and administer My justice" God says those who do not belong to Jesus don't even have the right to recite His Word. YIKES!

Now before you start pointing fingers and judging, Jesus in Revelation chapter three says basically the same thing to the Church, specifically, to those who are lukewarm in their faith, doing just enough to satisfy their own conscience so they can feel good about being a Christian without actually having to make sacrifices or die to their own personal passions and pleasures. 

So what does God require? Thank Offerings. God wants us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. In other words our external worship should be a true indicator of the heart. Are you living a life worthy of the calling you have recieved? Do your interactions with people reflect Christ? God wants everything, starting with your heart. Examine your life to see if there is any area where you are lukewarm or a hypocrite, if there is, confess it, repent from it, and then walk in the freedom that is only in Christ Jesus. The promise is from God Himself, "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God"

It starts with You and Me

God said to Jacob, "‘I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’ ~ Genesis 48:4 ~

Community can be simply defined as common possessions or togetherness. Way back in the beginning God was interested in us being a community, not just a bunch of people living in the same city. God wants us to be a group of people that have things in common, that take care of one another, that truly love each other, people that share, people that work together, eat together, pray and worship together. It takes effort to be a real community of people, so what can you do today to move towards that goal? Talk it over with your family and make a decision to be a family that creates community. Decide on a few realistic things you can do like inviting a different family over once a month for dinner, or maybe shovel the elderly neighbor's walk this winter and invite her over for cocoa, whatecver it is, make a decision, then follow through.

let's do things God's way. Let's build a Christian community for the whole world to see.