Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Christ’ Category

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. – Psalm 62:6-8

God doesn’t give salvation, strength, refuge, or anything else, as if those were things he provides, he is those things in the lives of those who have him.

This is a concept we must grasp — He is what we need. Instead of asking him to give patience, grace, healing, protection, strength, or any thing else — ask him to be your patience, grace, healing, protection, etc.

His gift is himself and he is enough.

– fritz@langgang.com

Read Full Post »

[Jesus] went on to tell them a parable … “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return … ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home.

Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
…‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ …“‘Well done, … take charge of ten cities.’
… ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ …‘You take charge of five cities.’
… ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth…‘Take his mina away…
‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” – Luke 19:11-26

Jesus, like all preachers, reused sermon illustrations. But though there is a hint of previous sermons (the lesson of the servants and talents) there is a different ending and overall message.

This version was spoken as Jesus was facing the cross and in the story the future king faces opposition – some don’t want his rule and even some of his own think him cruel. But in the end he rules anyway, commanding those who opposed him to be judged at his feet.

Jesus point is that he shall return whether he is wanted or not, whether he is believed or not, whether we are ready or not – his rule shall ultimately happen and when he comes he will judge the lazy, the fearful, and those who resisted – but bless those who acted in faith.

Better to greet him as a friend than as an enemy!

– fritz@langgang.com

Read Full Post »

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. – Jesus (Revelation 3:20)

I am finding this book I am reading interesting. It’s by a self-avowed Jewish agnostic attempting to live what the Bible teaches. He provides an honest, non judgmental, secular perspective – a viewpoint I haven’t seen for a long time.

He, of course, approaches the Bible’s teaching as a “religion” and as such he is scared by it because:

To embrace religion, you have to surrender some control. But what if it’s a slippery slope, and you lose all control, slide right past the Judeo-Christian mainstream, and end up in a yurt kneeling in front of a guy wearing a tablecloth who has renamed you Lotus Petal?”

But our agnostic friend has a dilemma – he has a small son

It’s why I don’t know what do with Jasper. If I give him some religion, then he might become obsessed and go Guru Gill on me. Then again, if I give him no religion, he could descend into moral anarchy. They’re both so risky. I feel like I can’t win!” – The Year of Living Biblically by A.J.Jacobs, page 103

That’s a dilemma that can only be solved by yielding control not to a religion but the living Christ. He never forces us to do anything, but calls to us in love and leads us gently “Beside the still waters…” (Psalm 23:2).

We open the door to Christ, the living Lord, who physically walked out of the tomb and walks into our hearts. He leads us like a good shepherd.

Fall in love with Jesus and there is no dilemma.

– fritz@langgang.com

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »