Month: July 2020

 

“Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.”  Matthew 4:25 ESV

One of our family vacations included a trip to Hollywood where we were excited to find out they were actually filming a movie nearby.  The streets were closed off and everyone was standing across the street from all the action.  We eagerly joined in wondering if we would see Julia Roberts filming another Pretty Woman or Johnny Depp in all his glory.  Well, at least I was hoping to see Johnny Depp in all his glory!

We finally saw the signs announcing The Muppets were filming a new movie.  Miss Piggy and her entourage rode up to the theater in a limo and we all pushed to be able to see the stars.  I’ll admit it was a bit of a let down but still fun to see all the Muppets being lifted up to say their lines then drop down like limp puppets till their next scene.  I’m sure actual living, breathing stars would have required more crowd control and more high maintenance than our precious Kermie.

The gospels are full of Jesus’ star status.  Large crowds followed him wherever he went.  He provided food for over 5,000 followers when they were hungry.  The mountainsides were so full that he escaped to a boat to preach and teach.  News of his travels and miracles made everyone want to come out and see this man from Galilee.  Zacchaeus even climbed a tree to be able to get a better view.

Palm Sunday brought the peak to Jesus’ popularity.  By the end of the week, it wasn’t the acceptable thing to be seen in his presence.  Even his closest friends betrayed and denied knowing him.  Though some still followed.

Today the crowd can go either way.  It’s acceptable to follow Jesus when we are in church but is it when we are with our co-workers at work?  Some have been asked to leave out Jesus’ name when we pray as that might offend someone.  Where you are and who you are with can determine the popularity of Jesus at any given time.

But some still follow.  Do you?

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“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”  Isaiah 40:8 ISV

It will soon be a year since Danni died.  I still cry and miss her on a daily basis.  It still hurts but sometimes I feel guilty because life has gone on without her.  Sometimes, the memories aren’t as strong and I think I have betrayed her.  I’m afraid she is going to fade away if the pain of losing her is not as intense as it was yesterday.

The dictionary describes fade as to lose brightness or vividness of color.  It means to dim, disappear gradually and to vanish.  Our memories can turn from severely painful to  bittersweet and healing.  Danni will never disappear as she will be a part of me forever.

Things in this world started to fade when sin entered the picture in the Garden of Eden.  I John 2:17 states, “And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever”.  People and our most cherished treasures here on earth must pass away from this earth but we have a home in heaven that will never pass away.

Jesus hung on a cross willingly dying for each of us; his very life fading away.  Three days later he rose from the grave giving all who believe a resurrected hope and future.  I Peter 1:3-4 tells us, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade”.  Though we fade away in our earthly bodies, we will be resurrected to live with Jesus forever where nothing will ever fade away. Jesus told his disciples that heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35).

It is horrible to watch a forest fire destroying the trees.  Our plants die from lack of water.  Our loved ones grow older and may forget our names.  This world and the things of it will pass away but with Jesus we have a hope and a future that will never fade.  Put your trust in him today!

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But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 NIV

We have all seen the pictures of rescue animals before they have been adopted.  They are underweight and malnourished.  Burt’s ribs were showing the day we took him home at a whopping 45 lbs.  Danni weighed in at 49 lbs. wearing a harness at her first veterinarian appointment.  Both dogs filled out nicely and quickly tipped the scales at 60 lbs.

Many of us do not have the problem of being underweight.  Some of us are exactly the opposite and trying to watch what we eat so the pounds aren’t packed on over the years but it is possible to be overweight but malnourished.

Malnutrition is described as a lack of sufficient nutrients in the body.  Some causes of malnutrition include a poor diet and digestive issues.  As Christians, we can suffer malnutrition.  When we have a poor diet of spiritual nutrients, our bodies and the body of Christ suffers.

A diet packed full of personal time in God’s word, fellowship, bible study, gathering for public and private worship are all spiritual nutrients.  To lack time with God is to starve yourself and when one of God’s children are malnourished, the body of Christ is also operating on a poor diet.

The Parable of the Sower is found in Matthew 13.  A farmer was out sowing seeds and some of the seed fell on rocky ground, some fell along the path, and some seed was planted with thorns and other plants that choked the seed out making it unfruitful.  How you digest the word of God is also very important.  If you have digestive issues, you could become malnourished.  Don’t let anything stand in the way of the word of God taking root in your heart.  James 1:22 states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says”.

Good nutrition provides maintenance, growth, reproduction, and health.  Proverbs 3:7-8 tells us, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones”.

Make sure you are getting all the proper nutrients from God’s word.  We don’t want to be malnourished Christians, starving ourselves and God’s family.

BURT AND DANNI CAME FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD; TO DONATE CLICK HERE

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Seneca is ten.  She has slowed down in recent months which only means she is more like other dogs now.  We can let her out in the yard to play and not worry that she will be in the next town within seconds.  She is not going to jump the fence, look back and smile, and be on the neighbors roof observing them through their windows.  Some changes are good but I still have a problem with people saying she is in her geriatric years and she is an old gal.  Some things I just can’t accept.

On a recent visit, Seneca was throwing up.  You could tell she wasn’t feeling well.  She wasn’t jumping on the bed or in the car with any enthusiasm so her senior exam and bloodwork were scheduled.  She was given supplements for her joints and seemed to be doing fine.  The results of the bloodwork showed elevated liver levels and an ultrasound was recommended.

The vet called with the test results and compassionately announced a large dark mass that extended well past her liver.  We could go to an oncologist and have a biopsy done but cancer of the liver was likely.

Cancer is a word most of us dread hearing.  It is a malignant growth or tumor resulting from the division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.  Many of us have had loved ones, human and furry that have been affected by the disease.  On the outside, things are going along fine but on the inside something is abnormal and growing.  When symptoms appear, we go to find out what is wrong.

Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Things might seem okay on the outside but on the inside sin is affecting us.  The growth left unchecked will eventually produce symptoms that will get our attention.

When sin is brought under the light of God’s word it can be eradicated.  The growth of sin can be stopped and entirely washed away by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Our verse today states that God’s word is alive and active.  Hebrews 12:1 tells us to throw off anything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us and fix our eyes on Jesus.  1 John 1:7 in the Amplified Bible reads, “but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

Go to God and his word today so that no unwanted growths are found that could destroy your quality of life and eventually kill you.  Jesus came that you might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10b).  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10a).  Don’t let that happen to you!  Live sin free.

SENECA CAME FROM BERKELEY COUNTY, WV:  CLICK HERE TO HELP OTHER ANIMALS FROM THERE

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.  To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.  I Corinthians 1:1-3 NIV

I receive reminder post cards from the veterinary office telling me that one of the dogs is due for certain vaccinations and testing.  I also am reminded of veterinary appointments already scheduled and emails fill my computer addressed to Danni and owner, our puppy that died almost a year ago.  This type of correspondence shows me that I am not known on a personal level even though the information may be welcomed.

Most of us have composed a letter starting with the words, To Whom It May Concern.  I know I’ve sent out many cover letters for job applications with those words.  I always feel as I type them that I am probably the only one that is really concerned.  As we write emails and letters we always hope our audience will be interested in what we have to say.  We want our correspondence to be appreciated and read.  We hope our letters accomplish what we sent them to accomplish.  To grab our readers attention, writers start out with a hook; something that they hope will hook their readers.

Paul starts his letter to the Corinthians telling who the letter is from and identifying himself with his audience.  He says who he has become is because of God.  He binds the audience to him because we are all one in Christ Jesus.  He has called us and makes us into his image.  We are related to each other in the family of God.  There is a connection.

When God sent his word he sent an angel to a young virgin and told her not to be afraid.  She would carry and give birth to the redeemer of the world.  God spoke from a burning bush to call Moses into leadership of the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.  Both methods got the expected attention of the hearer.

There are 66 books of the Bible.  These books and letters are written to Whom It May Concern.  No matter where you are in life, the word of God does concern you.  It is packed full of attention grabbing hooks to keep you reading.  Whether it is a flood with every animal coming two by two or angels bearing messages to be fulfilled; it is directed at you, God’s audience.

John 3:16 states that God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God reached out to you first when he sent Jesus, his word, to die in your place that if you believe you will live forever.  It is an attention grabbing hook that tells you that the To Whom It May Concern is you and God is concerned.  He loves you.

Is he calling you today?  Have you read his letters?  Do they grab your attention and do you identify with them as one of his own?

Don’t hit delete before reading God’s letter to you.  There is a message personalized with your name!

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