Oh My

Networking

2010-06-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

I am sharing some thoughts that I recently have had. It is regarding on how God builds on our life.. Jesus shares in John how the branches are connected to the vine. The vine is Jesus and we as believers are the branches. The big idea is God, growing us or building us, in Christ.. Jesus the vine, supports and supplies the needed ingredients for us to flourish as a believer.. Apart from the vine, Jesus or cut off, disconnected, we are dead... I like how there is a Networking taking place in that relationship. We just don't do it by ourselves, live by ourselves, work out our Christianity alone. There is connectivity, there is community, there is oneness..

God builds and adds to our growing in Christ, through Christ, and by Christ. Our only way of maturity is by Jesus. Jesus provides everything we need to grow us up in Him. There is also a need to understand this application practicality by our connectivity to his people, The Church. We need the Church, what is the Church.. The Church is God's people that have been joined together in Jesus by his Grace. Jesus adds to his Church, Jesus uses his people to add to his Church, sometimes. Ultimately, Jesus is at the helm of directing his people to do God's will. God's will, is the books of the bible. For some that can be scary. But it always leads down this road, and that is this Document, called the bible. But lets say we agree, that it is, for now.

There is a need, and a practical approach to see that it helps to do more building than tearing down. To demolish can be necessary as well, but only to build. We are all like a garden. What are we growing in our garden, what does it look like. It is not always necessary to completely tear down everything to build something.. If there is hope, the branch does not need to be cut off completely. But some do to them selves or others, and we call it God. Only God prunes, and he might do it through you, but your just an instrument. We need to let God have all the glory. And not look to be setup as one that can receive any glory. Or we might be the ones God prunes, and so be it, if that is the case.

Ultimately God wants the glory in your salvation, and sanctification. Which is you being added to the vine (Jesus) and your growth in Christ (sanctification). And that means occasionally pruning, so that we can be more fruitful in our walk in Christ... Let's not kill, what does not need to be killed... Let not add to God's word. There is a propensity in religious people to add to his word, on what does it look like to be holy. Well the only answer any can give is Jesus. Let 's not go beyond or below that.(That is why I recommend Gospel centered Churches, and here are some, www.thegospelcoalition.org) And will any of us, ever be Jesus in this life, we can only try by his Grace alone. We live and move by his being!

God's love towards us can be uncomprehending at times, it takes his grace for us to even see a glimmer of it. I believe God would even say to some that would be reading this, he is happy with you, (so why do you keep beating the shit out of yourself.). Our view of God needs to change. It needs to change to the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Because he did
all that for you. A sinless Man/God suffered all that, he did not deserve, what we deserved. And Jesus did that for us.

God does not want to kill you, he wants to save you, because he loved you, and still does. Ask God to save you, ask him to heal you and deliver you and make you new in his Son Jesus Christ, The Vine!

John Piper, Jesus, Only way, john 3:16.

2009-05-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy John Piper, and have received some ideas on sharing just gospel centered messages. This sermon hits home with me due to we are so familiar with these passages. And we don't take or carry the brevity of these words of Jesus in John 3:16.

The Eye of The Storm!

2009-04-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

We are living in some crazy times. Do you think that these current events are a fluke of nature, or some cosmic solar gravitation pull? You have to wonder, what the heck is going on. With the world economic shaking and two recent earth quakes, just days from each other on different continents. Mexico city is hit with this swine flu, that has it in a panicked city shut down. And then the city is hit with an earth quake, that rattles its core.

Throughout time we can see historically cataclysmic events, from The Black Plague, to World Wars. And seismic record breaking earthquakes. Now we have this potential pandemic outbreak of H1N1 virus, (or Swine Flu). This world health threat is on the horizon, with more than a dozen countries claims of Swine Flu outbreak.

We just got word today that the Northwest has just discovered some cases. What do we do and where do we go? The ESV says; Prov. 3:25 "Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes". When we are faced with an opportunity to panic, should we go there? Well the bible says to choose a different path. First of all, if you a Born Again Believer, you should not have to be overcome by sudden terror or fear. Are we not all sinners and deserve destruction? Yes absolutely, we deserve hell and total ruin in this life and the next. So why should God care for us? He only does through the penal substitution of Christ's death and sacrifice on the cross. God's wrath has been diverted from us, when we are found in Jesus. Won't Christians die and be harmed during these difficult times, maybe. But because of Jesus bearing our sins on the cross, we can have eternal life with Christ in the presence of Almighty God. Jesus says not to be afraid of what can possibly hurt our bodies by man, disease, or peril. But rather fear Him, (God) who can destroy both soul and body in eternal Hell!(Matthew 10:28)

There is much hope in Jesus. He truly is the Saviour of the World. There is a beautiful picture of Jesus when he is walking on the water. Mathew 14:22-33. Jesus tells his disciples, to go out to the sea without him. The sea starts to become tumultuous and choppy. And Jesus is doing the Moon walk on the water. The disciples see this from a distance as Jesus approaches and they freak out, plus it's at night. The disciples seriously where freakin, they thought they saw a ghost. Peter test Jesus, (because this should not be happening.) and says; "Jesus if this is you, let me walk on water too, towards you." Jesus says; "Peter C'mon down!". And also Peter is walking on the water, for a little while. What I really want to hone in, is that Peter was walking on water, as he was concentrating on Jesus. Peter was focused on Jesus!! Peter had his eyes on Jesus. (How many times can I put this?) One more time, Peter was looking upon the King of kings and Lord of lords. C'mon Baby! Jesus is our anchor, Jesus is our rock, Jesus is our Salvation! And Jesus will carry us during life's storms and shakings. As Peter continued to look upon Jesus, Peter was doing great. Peter began to take his eyes off Jesus. Peter started to shift his eyes from Jesus, to the storm. (UH OH!) And the Bible says; "That Peter began to sink". ( Let's look to Jesus and lets concentrate on Him.) Peter cried out and ask Jesus to save him; "SAVE ME LORD!". Jesus is so loving and caring he reached out to Peter and lifted him up. Can you see the picture of Grace, Love and Mercy, all wrapped up in Jesus!!!

I want this story to be known. That though the obvious storms all around u, we need to look upon Jesus whom we have pierced. Our sins and lives have crucified the King of kings and Lord of lords. We did not deserve his Grace and Mercy but Jesus humbled himself as a man. And gave his life as a ransom for us. Because with out Jesus's sacrifice we are left to a fiery, eternal grave. There is no hope for humanity, if there was no resurrection. Jesus conquered death, hell, and sin with his sacrifice. Jesus is the, "Lamb that takes away the sins of the World." This is the truth. You will never find Jesus bones, only an empty tomb. He is Risen, Hallelujah!!! There is much hope in Jesus! There is only hope in Jesus! There is hope to all that would listen to the Gospel of GRACE!!! When we did not deserve life, he gave us his own, so that we can have eternal life. The greatest gift of all!! Let's repent of our foolish ways and idolatry. If you are a Christian and or religious repent of your religiousness. (If you don't think your religious, you are.) Repent of your hypocrisy!! Repent of your sins!! If you do not know Jesus; repent of your evil ways. Ask Jesus to have mercy and forgiveness on your wickedness. Ask Jesus to save you from a eternal fiery grave. Ask Jesus to be King of your life and not you or anyone else. Let's all repent and ask Jesus to heal us because of our sins. And ask that Jesus will remove our guilt and shame. And let's turn to Jesus with a devoted heart to serve and follow his word. (the bible) And live by his word. We should not take away from his word or add to it. It is Jesus and all His word, period. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and fill you with His power. Go to a Church that believes the bible is the only sacred document and no other. There are only two people on the earth today, repentant sinners and unrepentant sinners. Who will you be?

God as a Gift

2009-04-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

I have recently heard a message on receiving," God as a gift", By Mark Driscoll. (Two enemies) To say the least this is a unusual concept. It is easier to welcome gifts from God. But to seriously see God as the gift, is a cranial paradigm shift. This is really a beautiful picture! That God offers us Himself. This is more than what the world can give, with all the riches and pleasures. The fame of prestige and notoriety can seem like a wave of endless joy and satisfaction. One cannot look at the rich and famous without a hint of envy. Obviously at varying degrees of envy. (Some are satisfied with their lot and are not moved by such glory.)

Living in America and being an American is a priceless commodity. Many foreigners desire our haven of endless indulgences and freedoms. We have countless people from all over the world trying to get into our country, legal or illegal. We are currently viewing the fading of wealth and prosperity for many. An Ideal that can be jaded.

Religion is the other counter part of dissatisfaction. It only brings a temporary relief to the doers and hearers. Religion most of the time points to duties and regulations that are impossible to fulfill and enjoy. This Religion always leads to pride and arrogance. Religion will hinder you from receiving the gift of God and will cause you to hinder others from receiving it as well.

Why the gift of God? Why is this so fascinating and amazing? Because the greatest gift we will ever receive is God. He gave us the gift of life in Him, through his Son Jesus Christ. This is the gift of God, that God wants us to know him and God wants to live in us, by Jesus Christ.

This is and always will be the most beautiful love story the world will every know. The love that God would offer up himself to a people that do not deserve or know Him. A people that do not want Him. A people that are sick and dying and do not even know this. The world's disease has blinded them to receive this gift. Religion prevents this freedom in Jesus because it is it's own Saviour and blinds you from your own depravity. But God in His kindness, Grace and Mercy opens our blind eyes so we can see and understand. So that we can see that our sickness is incurable and hopeless, unless we have a Saviour. And that Saviour is Jesus Christ. God's only begotten son, that who ever believes in Him, (Jesus). Shall not be destroyed, but shall be delivered from God's righteous wrath upon the Judgment Day.

This is the Gospel or Great News. God saves us from ourselves and the impeding, eternal judgment. God gives us salvation in Jesus. There is so much hope in Jesus Christ. God did not leave us to destruction. He gave us eternal life and hope In Jesus. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again on the Third day. And we believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son, who died for our sins. If we declare that Jesus is Lord of Heaven, Earth and Lord over our own lives. And we repent from our sins and religiousness. And for the religious we need to understand that there are two people in the earth repentant sinners and unrepentant sinners.

There is no other God that we are talking about except the God of the Bible. Thank God for the gift of God. What about life on earth? God saves, delivers and takes care of our needs. Jesus first sermon on the mount shares these truths. God created us for relationship. God does not need us but we need Him. God is Sovereign and rules over all !!!

Fascinating.

2009-04-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

I like to believe this occasion of writing is per chance but I think it feels a wee bit fateful. For starters I like the process of leaving a legacy. I do have children and would enjoy the idea that one day they will go through my thoughts on paper, journals, blogging. Blogging by far is the most easiest, and fascinating. I imagined as our ancestors discovered the alphabet, and writing. Then came hieroglyphics's, manuscripts, the printing press, & books. Each phase throughout history was a form of a revolution of thoughts, dreams, history, experiences on a slab of rock or leather pelt. That was their Internet, and online journaling,& blogging. The beginning of the printing press brought the age of information at the speed of a turtle, but eventually it led to a birth of millions of articles, books, & papers.

We are in a period of renaissance of modernization. A modern world where we know, no time. Twitter.com has just given us a taste of instant social global information. Can you believe that we are apart of a social revolution on Microwave news and information. It is really a good time to be alive. The ramifications are endless. I am enjoying these recent days of benchmarks for social media evolution like Facebook.com, Myspace.com and Twitter.com . It would be a close comparison to say that these experiences would be a similar day to the protestant reformation. Probably the part where Martin Luther was getting ready to post the 95 thesis. If you have not seen it, I recommend this movie, "Luther".