December 29, 2013

Believe ! 

Luke 24: 1 - 12

Luke

But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside.  So they went in, but they couldn't find the body of the Lord Jesus.  They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it.  Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.  The women were terrified and bowed low before them.  Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?  He isn't here!  He has risen from the dead!  Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?"

"Then they remembered that he had said this.  So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples - and everyone else - what had happened.  The women who went to the tomb were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several others.  They told the apostles what had happened, but they story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it.  However, Peter ran to the tomb to look.  Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened."

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 Thoughts....

Last week we talked about the correlation between Jesus' birth and death.  Today will be much of the same as we learn how Jesus' resurrection can remind of his birth.  Let's get started.

I want you to read Luke 2:8-20.  See if you see any similarities with todays Scriptures before I share some thoughts.

Luke 2:8-20 reads:  'That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.  They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid!" he said.  "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!  The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And this is how you will recognize him:  You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven praising God: 

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem!  Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.'  

Now, I will type todays Scriptures again, only this time with some references and thoughts in brackets.  

In todays Scriptures, Luke 24:1-12, we read:  'But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb taking the spices they had prepared.  [Although this might remind you of the three wise men as outlined in Matthew 2, it brings to my mind the visit of the angel joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven....bringing gifts and fruits of the Spirit, if you will.]  They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside.  [From Matthew:  The cave for the manger was open to the shepherds.]  So they went in, but they couldn't find the body of the Lord Jesus.  They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it.  [From Matthew:  What could have happened if the Shepherds had not found the right cave, or not found Jesus, the Messiah born?  What if Joseph, Mary and Jesus had already left for their home?]

Have you been looking for Jesus?  Have others come to you to tell you about him?

'Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.  the women were terrified and bowed low before them.  Then the men asked, "Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?"'  [From Matthew:  The shepherds went to see the baby born....the Messiah....and they were not afraid.  And yes, the wise men did their part.]

Have you been afraid?  Have you felt or thought that Jesus isn't real or isn't real in your heart?  Have you ever wondered if he really could be the Messiah....or not?  

[From Matthew:  'Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven  - praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom, God favors."  When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem!  Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."]

The shepherds could not deny the facts.  Are you ready to believe the facts?

From Luke:  '"Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day?"'  [From Matthew:  The third day....could Joseph and Mary have left the cave on the third day after Jesus' birth leaving the cave empty, journeying on, rising from their life circumstance?  Only to head into the world, one of pain, sorrow, subject to the cruelties of life at the hands of men who wouldn't understand?]

Have you been on a journey?  Have you believed Jesus didn't rise from the dead....or wasn't even born?  Have you betrayed Jesus?  Have you sinned, causing stripes from flogging on his skin, and death on the cross?   Have you been cruel and lacking understanding?

From Luke:  'Then they remembered that he had said this.  [Jesus DID say he would be betrayed and would rise again.  Did this just make him a prophet?  Or was he indeed the Messiah....the Son of Man....and God!?] 

He was the Messiah!  He IS the Messiah!  He wasn't just born, he didn't just die.  He became the Savior of the world for you....and me.  He was born again into heaven!  Are you ready to believe and receive him in your heart today?

From Luke:  'So they rushed back to tell his eleven disciples - and everyone else - what had happened, but the story sounded like nonsense, so they didn't believe it.'  [From Matthew:  'They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished....'.] 

Will you be one to answer God's call and tell others that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior born, who died, arose to heaven - lives - and can live in the hearts of others today?!  Will you help others' know - believe - in the only one who can help them have eternal life?  (Acts 4:12 'There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.'  

From Luke:  'However, Peter ran to the tomb to look, stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.'  [....but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.]

Do you still wonder?  Why?  NO need to wonder like Peter any longer!  We now have the Truth that sets people free!  That Truth is Jesus, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Redeemer, Counselor, Advocate, Messiah, Savior for the world!    

From Matthew:  'The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.'

Will you now go home, to the store, to your school, to your work....to the people in the streets, the fields....to your church....glorifying and praising God for what you have been told?  Have you seen the child, Jesus, the Savior?  Have you made him YOUR Savior? 

Jesus isn't just someone who was born and became a great prophet.  He wasn't just a great physician who healed people.  He was THE MESSIAH!   SAVIOR for the world!

The Jews didn't believe.  Peter wondered.  Mary quietly treasured.  What stance will you take? 

Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and, as you will come to learn, his ascension, are all documented history.  Not only is his life prophesied in the Old Testament, but prophesy came to life in/as Jesus'.  He is the foundation for the New Testament (Acts 4:11b 'The stone that you builders rejected has not become the cornerstone.'  I implore you to search the similarities of his birth, life, death and resurrection to fully understand the import of who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is.....what he did for you in humbling himself to birth, life, death, resurrection.  And who that made him....LORD.  Will you make him Lord of your life today?  Will you worship, obey, honor, and love him?  Will you lay down your life for him as he did for you?  Are you willing to be born.....again? 

Believe, share, walk in the Truth, and live eternally.  The Truth WILL set you free!  And you will be free indeed.  So, "Don't be afraid!  I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!  The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born...." 

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."

Believe!          

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 Let Us Pray

Jesus, I believe....in you!  Thank you, God, for sending your son, Jesus, to earth to be born, live, and die for me.  And thank you for resurrecting him to new life eternally, that I, too, may live....IF I but accept him as my Savior and make him Lord of my life....following him more nearly, loving him more dearly, day by day.  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I have not loved you with my whole heart, nor have I loved my neighbor as myself....please forgive me.  I see the correlation between your birth, and death, and resurrection.  I see the benefits of knowing about all of it.  And I realize the importance of sharing everything I learn....especially about your love and what you've done for the world.....and me.  I want to praise you from the roof tops and live my life in such a way as to bring you glory!  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit I praise you and I thank you, and I love you with every breath I take.  Help me make each of those breaths count, and, may they last a long time, so I can do much more for you on this earth!  May this Christmas season bring a song of joy to everyone's heart as they see you more clearly.  May the world learn to embrace you in the fullness of all the love you give.  And may they return that love ....and devotion.... to you hundreds and thousands fold, while praising you and giving you glory.  Thank you.  I love you.  I praise you.  Amen.   

Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. 

Lord God, Heavenly King, Almighty God and Father,

We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory!

Oh, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayers.

For you alone are the Holy One.  You alone are the Lord.

You alone are the Most High.....Jesus Christ.

In the glory of God the Father.

Amen.  

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More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

BesidesBesid  ***

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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