Killing Jesus

Killing Jesus: A History
By Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

This book is packed with historical facts, Biblical truths, gives the reader an understanding of what Jesus accomplished and how He paid with His life.

Why do you think thousands of common people sought Jesus?  Most of the people couldn't get close enough to hear His message.   Christians believe Jesus' popularity was due to His message of love, hope, and truth. Of course the miraculous headings attributed to His popularity.

Think about people who have achieved worldwide fame.  They had outside resources to promote them. Not so with Jesus and His disciples. They depended solely on charity of others for food and shelter.

Did you know that in A. D. 313 the Roman Empire legalized Christianity?  This allowed Christianity to spread into every part of the Western World.   Did you know that until 610 Christianity didn't have any real competition?  In 610 Muhammad began the Islamic religion. This was the first meaningful competition in terms of numbers of followers.

Since the death of Jesus and His resurrection, He has played a continual role throughout history.

• George Washington used Christianity as a rallying point for his colonial army. 
• Abraham Lincoln referred to Jesus after visiting the graves of all the lives lost in the Civil War.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Based his entire ministry and civil rights struggle on the teachings of Jesus. 
• President Ronald Reagan picked up on the theme: Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go - All The Way. He made it clear that he believed in the divinity of Christ. 

If you haven't read this book, I recommend that you do.  It will help you understand that nothing can stop God's plan for the universe.  You will understand the importance of Jesus Ministry. 

Remember God loves you and so do I. 

God Made You Unique

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. (Psalms 33:20 NLT)

I read one of Billy Graham's devotionals the other day.  I keep thinking about it so decided to share it with you what I learned.

We have a soul and we have a body!  The body is the house for the soul.  Now all houses grow old and need repair.  Through time they have to be torn down.  Our body also deteriorates.  In this materialistic generation people tend to forget that the real abiding part is invisible.  They spend a lot of money and effort on the physical part and are unconcerned about their spiritual health.  Doctors offices seem overcrowded while ministers' counseling rooms are empty.  Do you see anything wrong with this picture? 

God created us differently than other animals.  He breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul.  He gave him intelligence, a conscience, and a will.  Why do you suppose God did that?  So we can be His companion, and friend.

At our resurrection we will put on immortality and will be like Him.  We will live with Him forever.  What could be more awesome that!!!  I plan to make a great effort to keep my spirit healthy.
Remember God loves you and so do I.

CHRISTMAS

Luke 2: 10-14  - but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

What does Christmas mean to you?

To some it is the excitement of shopping for the perfect gift, to others it is driving around looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, for some it is the anticipation of what they will receive under their Christmas Tree.  Still others Christmas means spending time with loved ones, great food, singing Christmas Carols, and attending the candlelight services at church.

Several years before I retired from teaching first grade, one of my students asked me when was the first gift given.  I had my children sit on the carpet around me and I began to tell them a story.  Long ago Joseph had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for.  Joseph and Mary began a long journey to Bethlehem in Judah.  Mary was expecting a baby.  When they arrived it was time for the baby to be born.  Mary wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid him in a manger.  There were so many people and no room left in the inn (like a hotel) so all the inn keeper had left was a stable.

Nearby some sheepherders were camping keeping watch over their sheep, when suddenly an angel appeared, all bright with God's glory and told the shepherds that a great and joyful event had just happened.  The very first gift / the greatest gift had been given to everyone in the world.  A baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in the manger was Jesus.

What does Christmas mean to me?  It is a time to be grateful to God for the gift of His son Jesus.  It is a time to celebrate Jesus' birthday by sharing His love with others.

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.

LAZY BONES

Proverbs 6: 6-11 -  Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

When I taught First Grade, I used Fables to teach lessons about daily living.  Have you heard Aesop's fable of The Ant and The Grasshopper?  In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was bouncing about, chirping and singing to its heart's content.  An Ant passed by bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.  "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "Instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"  "I am helping to lay food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same". . . . .  When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger . . . . The moral to this story is: It is best to prepare for days of necessity.  

Solomon tells us to consider the ant and become wise by watching its ways.  We all need to guard against spiritual laziness.  The Bible makes it clear that our Salvation is not something we work to earn; it's a gift from God, but our response to this gift should be a life of service dedicated to doing the good works God planned ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2: 8-10.

In the New Testament we find active words like: run, pursue, flee from, fight, to describe Christian Life.  Our lifestyle as a Christian needs discipline, training, and working hard on behalf of God's kingdom.  God wants us to live a balanced life: hard work & a time for rest.  But we should resemble the ant more than the grasshopper.
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. (Hebrews 6:12NLT). Remember God loves you and so do I.

Love All You Can For As Long As you Can!!!

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16, 17 ESV)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2, 3 ESV)

People ask:  Why do bad things happen to good people?
                     Why does God take people we love away from us?

On June 25, 2003 our son Ronald Marc Chaufty died of cancer.  He was 39 years old.  Ron, his wife, and I traveled to MD Anderson.  After several days of testing with negative results, I felt so frustrated, alone, and helpless.  Ed was in Texarkana and I missed his love, encouragement.  My role as a mother had changed.  Ron wasn't  a little boy anymore, he had a wife and they made all the decisions as I stood by and observed.  I cried out to Jesus: "What am I suppose to do?  Jesus I would gladly trade places with our son.   What is my purpose, how can I help?  

Suddenly I had an urge to read.  I headed to the hospital library located in the basement.  It was so peaceful, and I began to browse through all the numerous books ending up in the fictional section.  As I looked at the many titles, I kept returning to Wish You Well by David Baldacci.  I checked it out and began reading it.  It was a fictional book and I had no idea that my prayer would be answered as I read this book.  It was a novel filled with bone-deep emotional truths.  It dealt with life and death issues, suffering and joys of daily existence.

Diamond ran into the mine to retrieve Jeb his dog.  There was an explosion and Diamond was killed. Diamond was Lou' friend.  She was very young and didn't understand why Diamond had gone in the mine after Jeb.  Mr. Cotton  a friend of her grandmother said, "Jeb was all Diamond had, and when you love something you can't just stand by and not do anything".  After several minutes, Lou asked, "Why do things like this happen, Cotton?"  He sighed deeply, "I suppose it may be God's way of telling us to love people while they're here, because tomorrow they may be gone. . . ".

That's it.  My answer.  I knew immediately God's answer to my prayer.  He was telling me my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could.  Instantly I felt so peaceful.  I felt Jesus' loving arms surrounding me.  Yes, I can do this!  I can love our son, Ron and be grateful for every moment, be grateful that God allowed us 39 years with this beautiful boy, our son.  Does my heart heart?  Sometimes.  Do we miss him?  Yes, everyday.  We thank God for all the beautiful memories!  I tell myself that I would be selfish to want to keep him here with us, because he is home in the loving arms of Jesus, experiencing all of God's glory.  Of course we had to let him go home.  One day we will be reunited and we too will experience all of God's Glory!!!
Remember God loves you and so do I.

Ul

Love as Jesus Loves / Social Holiness

Romans - 12:18 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Leviticus - 19:15-18. . . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Social Holiness - Holiness is essentially social for very basic reasons, God is social, the personal tri - unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Holiness concerns the God - ordained relationships among people, God, and land, our environment for serving God.

John Wesley 's emphasis on the social nature of holiness is one of his key insights.  He famously writes in the preface to Hymns and Sacred Poems; "The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness, 'Faith working love' is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection."

When people ask you what religion are you?  or What church do you attend?  My answer will be, "I don't have any religion, but I do have Jesus". 

When you visit with others / witness to others - Ask them; "Do you know Jesus?  Is He your friend?  Do you have a personal relationship with Him?"  Then share your faith and tell them about your relationship with Jesus!

Remember God loves you and so do I! 

Jesus Holds on Tight

Psalms 37: 23-24 - The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Psalms 18:30 - God's way is perfect.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Today I read Walk By Faith, Not By Sight from the devotional book Jesus Calling.  As I meditated over what I had read I started thinking about those, I know who feel they have to be in control of everything.  Their way is the only way things should be done.  Then I though about myself.  How many times I wanted it done my way.

Now that I truly rely on Jesus, listen for His voice, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me, I see the world differently.  I truly look at others through the eyes of Jesus.  My heart is full of love and compassion.  I think outside.  No box required.  Jesus gave me the Holy Spirit to empower me so I can work beyond my natural ability and strength as I face the challenges ahead of me.  Jesus has no limits, so by holding His hand tightly I can accomplish the things He has planned for me each day.

I pray that those of you who read this, will experience the thrill of Jesus working through you.  Jesus' way is perfect.  Trust me, your life will never be the same.

Remember God loves you and so do I.