Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Talk Tuesday-The Essence of Time

Time cannot be held down, manipulated, controlled or stopped. Time is a quantity whose quality is determined by the choices we make-not only for ourselves, but for our generations to come. Earthly time is short and finite, yet it determines the outcome of our eternal time. What does Jesus say about time?

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

"3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?' 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.'" Matthew 24:3-14

Jesus warns of His return to earth and what it means to humanity. He warns of impending tribulation and persecution; the earth will groan, the stars will fall from the sky, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. Yet there remains the Kingdom promise of eternal salvation and peace. Of His return He warns, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only,” Matthew 24:36; “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” Matthew 24:44.

Live with an understanding of the essence of time or before you know it, time will have passed you by in a blur of activity, busyness and worldly pursuits. A life with Christ is an eternity with God. A life without Christ is an eternity without God. Choose before it is too late.

12 “'And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.' 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:12-14

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Talk Tuesday-Easter Edition: The Call Of The CROSS

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach, let us meditate on the significance of the CROSS and the meaning of the BLOOD that was shed on Calvary's hill. What Jesus did was no easy thing. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate One, came to earth in full humanity. This means that while He was fully GOD, He was fully man.

This Easter read the following chapters: Genesis 1-3, Leviticus 16, Matthew 26-28 (or Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24 or John 18-21) and Revelation 5. You will find a brief chronological history of the Easter story. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's sin brought the curse of death and ruptured our relationship with God. The imago Dei or image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) with which we were created became defaced yet never effaced-it remained, albeit in a marred state by the act of our sin. What happened in Eden was The Fall of mankind. Yet, this did not change who God Is. God is Love (1 John 4:8). God is Holy (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16). God is Just (Psalm 89:14). God is Merciful and God is Gracious (Psalm 103:8). All of these characteristics of God are displayed on the CROSS where His Only Begotten Son was crucified on our behalf. The declaration, 'It is finished,' John 19:30, are words of Victory that proclaim our freedom, deliverance, acceptance, redemption, and the atonement of our sins. It heralds the restoration of our relationship with God. Why the CROSS? It is at that moment that Jesus bore the sins of all mankind in a final act of love, in an experience of dereliction. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul,” Leviticus 17:11. He TRIUMPHED over the CROSS. He ROSE again. He will RETURN!

 “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

In End, at the Eschaton, Jesus Christ will return. “5 Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' 6 And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'”  Revelation 21:5-6

“And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Come to the CROSS today and meet the One who died upon it just for you!