365 Reflections

The book of Hebrews is written to a church in the midst of struggle and persecution.  How do you encourage a church facing a ton of opposition?  What do you open with?  What are your first words? You point them to JESUS! The first chapter of Hebrews has to do with the Supremacy of Christ! Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, There is something about Jesus that lifts us up and brings us through.  The writer spends the first 4 verses talking about the NAME of Jesus.  It is superior to the angels!  So just the mention of His name and the pronouncement of His power brings us hope in the midst of a world.   He is more than you think!  Some believe JEsus was a good man.  Some believe He was sent by God as a deliverer.  Some believ...

Mark 6:4 (ESV) And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor , except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Think about this as a definition for  dishonor  -  "to treat someone as common." When Jesus goes home He gets treated in a way that's completely strange compared to everywhere else.  He gets treated commonly.  And it limited their experience with Him. They ask: Mark 6:3 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus is not common.  Limiting who He is in your mind only robs you of the glory available to you through Him. You know why Jesus wouldn't do miracles in His hometown?  Because they had been too familiar with Him.  They didn't see Jesus for the honor and glory He is due. The treated the bright and morning star as a common street lamp. This is THE proble...

Mark 2:6–7 (ESV) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2 is a really funny chapter.  Twenty eight verses of give and take between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day.  Jesus does something and they have a problem with it. Jesus does something else and they have a problem with that too.  Jesus does another thing, and there they are questioning what on Earth He's doing!  I wonder if Mark penned this chapter with a grin. God shows up and the people who should have been so schooled to recognize Him miss Him completely.  I wonder sometimes, who would that be today?  I hope it would not be me. FACT: God is God.  He's going to surprise you.  He's going to blow away YOUR expectations.  He's going to undo your presuppositions.  He's going to unravel your traditions.  Why?  Because He's Go...

It is so easy to gloss over this little verse in 1 John 4: 1 John 4:15 (NIV)  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. John makes it clear as it can be.  If you acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God - THEN and ONLY THEN you are saved.  The reality?  God lives in you and you live in God.  He has made it clear in the negative sense before: 1 John 2:23 (NIV) No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. I have met many people in AA or some kind of recovery program.  They like to avoid Jesus.  And the saddest part is, they like to believe in a "higher power" to help them cope with their addiction.  It is no wonder they never get totally set free! Without Jesus you are diluting yourself in false spirituality.   Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except by me." How many people in the church need to stop shying away from t...