What is a Disciple - Pastor Ben Grisez'

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:46-48 

Bartimaeus cried out.  The people warned him to be quiet. What did Jesus do?
Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." Mark 10:49 

What was Bartimaeus' response to Jesus' command?
And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50

How much do we miss out on because we are more concerned about the response of the crowd than our need for a touch from Jesus?

A Generation Who Dd Not Know

Judges 2:7-10; 3:1-4

the generation after Joshua:
 - they did not know the LORD (2:10)
 - they did not know the work  which He had done for Israel (2:10)

As a result:
- they did evil in the sight of the LORD (2:11)
- they served the Baals (2:11)
- they forsook the LORD (2:12)
- the provoked the LORD to anger (2:12)
- God delivered them into the hands of the plunderers (2:14)
- He sold them into the hands of their enemies (2:14)
- they would not listen to the judges raised up by the LORD (2:17)
- they played the harlot with other gods (2:17)
- they turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked (2:17)

Oh, what a difference a vital, "knowing" relationship with the Lord, makes.

The Rooster Still Crows

John 18:27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

We have several rose bushes at our house.  Only one blooms at a different time than the others.  It’s peek blooming time is Mother’s Day.  That rose bush is a “rooster” in my life.

It was given to me on a Mother’s Day when both of my children were in rebellion.  It was a very sad time in our lives.  For a few Mother’s Days after that, when the rebellion continued, I would look at that bush that first reminded me of that very difficult Mother’s Day.  But, that was not a reminder from the Lord.  His reminder was “I make all things beautiful in My time.  There’s a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh”

So, I have learned to rejoice in God’s reminders when that rose bush blooms.  Of course, now I get to experience the time of laughter, the time of rejoicing for which I am so grateful.  Yet, still my first thought when I see those roses on each Mother’s Day are painful ones.  Then, each Mother’s Day, I stop and thank the Lord for what He has done and how He carried us through those times.  

The rooster still crows in each of our lives, reminding us of very different memories. But, for each one, God plans beauty. 

 

                                                                                                                   

Behold the Bridegoom is Coming

Matthew 24:25  See, I have told you beforehand. 

The message this morning had three parts, each with a warning and each with a promise.

1.  The parable of the wise and foolish virgins.

BE READY.  
Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.  


2.   The parable of the talents

BE PRODUCING
Matthew 25:29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 


3.  The exhortation to stand for righteousness in perilous times

BE HOLY
2 Timothy 3:12-14 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.   But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 

For you who comment, please use the space to comment on what you learned, or how you were touched by the message - not to post your thoughts about any certain sin(s). Thanks so much! 

Until He comes.... may we be found ready, producing and holy.

What Do You Think About the Christ?

Our message opened this morning with a question from Pastor Dale: “Is the Lord big enough to handle your problems?”  We were reminded that from time to time we have problems that we just don’t understand. We learned that how we react to those questions in the midst of trials reveal what we believe about Jesus. In Matthew 22 we have examples of 3 questions posed to Jesus. The first questioners wanted to entangle Him, to prove His words false or their question too wise for Jesus. The second group had hearts that were already hardened and their conclusions firmly fixed. There was no room for another perspective. The last inquirer came with schooled wisdom, causing him to ask without any sincerity. His question seemed to be a waste of his breath.

And yet, Jesus uses the replies to these questions to cause us to stop and consider: where do we go when these questions of life plague us? Do we seek the One who is the source of all wisdom?  Whom will we trust as the plans of our lives unfold? Do our conclusions prevent us from seeing God in all His glory and power?

The answer all comes back to the same thing: Who is the Christ to me? Will I trust Him outside my own box of experience in faith and belief?  Will I choose to trust Him, or harden my heart and trust my own wisdom?

Psalm 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

A big thank you to Cyndi Rhoads for her reflections!

Great in the Kingdom

Hi "fellow travelers".  I am at a conference in Maryland.  So, I asked Cyndi Rhoads to post for me this Sunday and next Sunday.  What a blessing! cathy

As I sat this morning and listened to Pastor Dale’s continuing message on the Inn at Jericho Road, my heart was touched by the phrase “the joy of serving.”  I was so impressed by the truth that this joy comes from seeing God glorified.   When I choose to take advantage of the opportunities He has put in my path, I get to be like that Good Samaritan.  Even more, I come to be more like Jesus for Jesus came as servant of all.  He chose to take the humble road, rather than the Kingly one He so richly deserved.

I was challenged this morning when Pastor asked: Will we be the Samaritan on the road to Jericho? Will I invite people in need or hurting, and bring them to the Inn for help and healing? For the only way this can happen is if I find myself as a servant in the Inn, or on the road open and seeking.  This is going to require a sacrifice on my part. I will have to deny that part of me that wants to remain comfortable, safe, and unmindful of the lost and hurting around me.   And yet, I know that I am called to “deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him” (Matt 16:24) For, as Pastor reminded me this morning, love is an action word. Love serves.

Above and beyond all the Lord has already given me in the way of His grace and mercy, there is one more thing I long for. I long to hear Jesus’ sweet words of welcome saying “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

We all have a Jericho road to travel. What will you do with the opportunities you are given?

Invitation to a Vision

Luke 10:36-37 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

I'm not sure what blessed me the most this morning - the message or the response of the congregation.

When we read about the lawyer who asked Jesus "And who is my neighbor?", we see in verse 29 the words exposing the motive behind his question - But, he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus...

My we resist the temptation to justify behaviors all too similar to the priest and the Levite.  May the Lord hold us to our commitment to love those He brings our way in the way He calls us to love them.  May we be willing to sacrifice time, money, energy, convenience, safety and anything else we might be tempted to hold on to with our own benefit in mind.  And... may we love one another.

"We are not going up the hill to hide out.  We are going up the hill to reach out."