Mom’s can be very persuasive on behalf of their children. There is a story told about a mother who came to Napoleon on behalf of her son, who was about to be executed. The mother asked the ruler to issue a pardon, but Napoleon pointed out that it was the man’s second offense and justice demanded death.
“I don’t ask for justice,” the woman replied. “I plead for mercy.” The emperor objected, “But your son doesn’t deserve mercy.” “Sir,” the mother replied, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask.” Her son was granted the pardon.
Let’s appreciate our mom’s for all the times they presented our interests to those in power whether it was God in heaven or to people on earth who could benefit us. Happy Mother’s Day!
Revelation is a book of that can frighten us. God’s kingdom is coming along with his judgment. I like what N.T. Wrights says about that.
“The word judgment carries negative overtones for a good many people in our liberal and post-liberal world. We need to remind ourselves that throughout the Bible God’s coming judgment is a good thing, something to be celebrated, longed for, yearned over. It causes people to shout for joy and the trees of the field to clap their hands. In a world of systematic injustice, bullying, violence, arrogance, and oppression, the thought that there might come a day when the wicked are firmly put in their place and the poor and weak are given their due is the best news there can be. Faced with a world in rebellion, a world full of exploitation and wickedness, a good God must be a God of judgment.”
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. That was pretty surprising all by itself but imagine my shock when they told me that there was over 15 million dollars for me in a Nigerian account- and that it was safe for me to send a few hundred dollars so that I could get it processed and receive my money! Needless to say I didn’t believe this information from the “FBI” but there are other lies that are more difficult to discern and have more dire consequences if we believe. Thankfully God has equipped us with His word to show us what’s real. The truth is out there, and if you believe it, it will set you free.
We ignore God’s principles to our own harm. Jason Grisham shouldn’t be alive. During his attempt to scale an electrical tower, the 22-year-old man received a shock that is usually fatal. Partway up the tower, 69,000 volts of electricity coursed through his body, knocking Grisham to the ground. Despite suffering burns to his chest and having his pants explode, the young man was admitted to the hospital in good condition.
He climbed over a 7 ft fence topped with barbed wire with a large sign on both sides where he scaled the fence that read “Danger – High Voltage.” Ignoring the warnings lead to a life threatening situation.
We fall prey to a similar situation when we ignore God’s warnings and climb the tower. Obedience is the surest way to find God’s blessing and protection
The idea of demons is laughed at in our scientific world. C.S. Lewis said, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”
They do exist, but lets not quake in fear for, “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
If you have been watching the news recently, you might have heard the story of the dramatic rescue of a woman trapped in her submerged SUV. Charlene DeHerrera, on her way home from work, was swept away in the torrential flood waters that struck Preble, CO a few days ago. As her vehicle slowly slipped under the murky water, frantic rescuers tried to break at least one of the SUV’s windows, but to no avail. Finally, one man was able to reach down into the depths, miraculously grab hold of Charlene’s hand, and pull her to safety. It was indeed miraculous enough for her to be pulled through one of her car windows; but what no one can explain is the fact that after her vehicle was pulled out of the water, all of the car windows were tightly sealed. Howard Absetz, the man who was able to grab Charlene’s arm and pull her out, could not explain it. He simply said, “Something happened.” Indeed, something happened.
Beloved, as we celebrate this Easter Sunday, we do so because something happened – something that changes absolutely everything. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! Life for the believer need never be the same – resurrected life is a reality, but not just in eternity; it can be ours right now. ”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
We will hold our Good Friday service at 6:30pm. We invite you to come and worship as we consider all that our Savior has accomplished for us.
Jesus asks us a provocative question. He said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). He seeks to awaken us to the reality that just listening to his words without obeying them is of little value.
C.S.Lewis said, “He cannot bless us unless he has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There’s no bargaining with Him.” If you have welcomed Christ into your life, avoid the mistakes of the people in Jerusalemso long ago by submitting to his ownership of your life. Remember, he is the Lord Jesus Christ!
Small decisions can have big impacts in our lives. Making a decision to get into the wrong car with the wrong person can be devastating. Adam and Eve made a small decision to disobey in something very small – eating something that was forbidden. The results are self evident. It’s been a long history of sin and suffering.
Bruce Barton said, “Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.” Paul warns us; he said, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8)
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