"Don't miss it"

Matthew 11:20-24, 12:1-14 Jesus had performed mighty miracles in the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. But they refused to repent (Matthew 11:20). And because of this Jesus pronounced a terrible judgement on these towns. They missed it, God had come to them and was offering more than miraculous signs, he was offering freedom from their sins and salvation in God ( Isaiah 53). But they refused to turn away from their sin and follow God. When you reject God salvation you accept his wrath. The Pharisees followed Jesus only in the hopes of trapping Him. The questioned Jesus about following strict Jewish laws. For centuries they had followed their interpretation on what it meant to keep the Sabbath day holy. To the Pharisees any form of work or healing on the Sabbath was unholy. Even after Jesus told them something greater than the Holy Temple was among them in Matthew 12:6 (Jesus was speaking of Himself) and proclaimed that He was Lord of the Sabbath in Matthew 12:8, they still missed it. Jesus was telling them that in fact He was God and to follow Him means that you are following after the Lord. But the Pharisees could not see past their pride. Instead of following Jesus the Pharisees continued to plot His crucifixion (Matthew 12:14). The question that comes from all of this is, am I missing Jesus too? Are you missing God like the unrepentant cities? Are you still freely sinning, totally disregarding what God has done in your life or where He has bought you from. The Word makes it very clear that if we continue to practice sin then we are not a child of God (1 John 3:6-9). And our fate is that of the unrepentant cities. Or maybe we are like the Pharisees who were more in love with their interpretation of God's Law as opposed to following God Himself. They viewed Jesus as the devil (Matthew 11:24) and not as the Savior of the World and Lord of us all. But Jesus told them what their end will be. He called them evil trees that bear evil fruit and in the end they would be condemned by the very words they spoke against Him (Matthew 12:33-37). God had appeared to them in the flesh and yet they rejected Him. They said Jesus was under demonic influence and denied God's Spirit working through Him. In essence He was telling the Pharisees that they were unbelievers. When we decide to follow our own path instead of God's we openly accept our destructive end (Matthew 7:13) Do you reject God and embrace your own ideals and beliefs. The Pharisees moved to the beat of their drum and not God, are you doing the same? It is easy to get lost in what we think God should be like, what He should do, and what parts of the Bible we should not follow. But understand this God's way is the only way that leads to salvation yours will only lead to destruction. This is nothing more than a gut check. We all should consider our ways and make sure we are not missing God. Stay focused, you can do this! "In His JOY!"

Here I am Lord, a Disciple and not a Pharisee

Matthew 10:1, 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

It's a great misunderstanding as to whom God sends out.  Our education, up bringing, status in life, title, etc.  does not decide whom He chooses to spread His message.  We must first all realize that God has called us all to share the Gospel and make disciples  (Matthew 28:18-20).  This is charge and commandment to everyone who calls themselves a Christian.  Secondly please remember that God looks at the heart of a man and not the outward ( 1 Samuel 16:7). I say all this because when Jesus sent out his twelve disciples they were not well-educated men.  They where not Scribes, Pharisees, or Sadducees.  They were doctors, fisherman, and tax collectors.   There was nothing special about them except they had spent time with Jesus.

Sometimes we think that only the Pastor, Religious Professor, or the Elder are qualified to speak and teach about the Gospel.  Spending time immersed in the Word and Prayer is what qualifies you.  Gaining  true understanding of the Word and getting wisdom from God qualifies you.

You may not be the brightest light bulb in the bunch and you may be lacking in public speech techniques but this does not mean God cannot use you.  In fact you are exactly who God wants to use (1 Corinthians 1:26).   Jesus could have used the a Pharisee because they rigorously kept laws.  He could have used a Scribe because they knew ever law.  Or He could have used the Sadducees because they had status.  No instead He used a fisherman named Peter, who at times struggled with his faith, He used a tax collector named Matthew who was known as a sinner, and He used two brothers named James and John whose mother wanted them to be famous.  Jesus saw something in these men that He did not see in the religious leaders.  He saw a heart that wanted to see the Will of God done.  He saw men who sat at His feet and learned what the Good News was all about.  He saw men that could recognize Jesus as God and not see Him as an enemy.  He saw disciples. What He looks at you what does He see,a Disciple or Pharisee? He can use anyone friends, so let him use you.


Stay focused, you can do this!

"In His JOY!"