staystrong standstrong bestrong staystrong2 standing strong spiritual warfare fighting the battle Psalm 23
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011
As I continue with this blog postings, sometimes it would be of help, that I can have some ideas of what to write about. That is maybe a topic that we as men struggle with...not to say that I'm an authority...but maybe we can look at the word of God to help us with our struggles...to be encouraged to live our lives as our God and Lord Jesus will have us live. Hopefully I will hear from some of you soon. Thanks Peter Dee
Monday, September 12, 2011
celebrate
"and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate." Luke 15:23. The son comes home, his father hugs him...gives him clothes...the family ring, forgives him...then he turns and directs his servants to prepare a feast and a celebration. In modern days we would say let's have a party! A home coming party! It is a time of joy...Proclaim the good news and celebrate the good news. Now not to be confused with the "good news" of the gospel. But the good news resulting from the gospel, the good news of one turning to Christ, the good news of one turning back again to Christ, the good news of one coming to his senses.
Now for this father the good news is this, verse 24 "for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." Now here is a good example of one who is not saved...not following Jesus Christ...They are lost and dead. Two things: 1. Lost not finding their way, no direction...doing what is right in their own eyes/thinking...without God. 2. dead in their lost ways, that is dead spiritually. Even though their body is still walking around and thinking...deep inside there is a part of them that is dead inside. It was the same for all of us before we came to the saving work of Jesus Christ. Here also is a good example of what happens when one turns to Jesus Christ...and becomes saved...They are not lost any more and not only that, the part that was dead now comes to life. Life takes on a whole new meaning, the things of God seem to be clearer...Words like hope...start to take on new meaning. The word of God, that was foolish before, starts to become, let's say "wonderful"...They now can see a direction for their life, not lost anymore.
So as men we need to celebrate when hearing of the good news...When one is "saved", or when one turns back. When God is doing mighty works! No matter how small or big we think they are, when God is working it is mighty! Rejoice with those who rejoice! You know in this parable the father stopped what he was doing and celebrated the return of his lost son. It is important to celebrate, to take joy...and most important of all to give thanks to God, for the mighty work He is doing in our lives and the lives of others.
Now for this father the good news is this, verse 24 "for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." Now here is a good example of one who is not saved...not following Jesus Christ...They are lost and dead. Two things: 1. Lost not finding their way, no direction...doing what is right in their own eyes/thinking...without God. 2. dead in their lost ways, that is dead spiritually. Even though their body is still walking around and thinking...deep inside there is a part of them that is dead inside. It was the same for all of us before we came to the saving work of Jesus Christ. Here also is a good example of what happens when one turns to Jesus Christ...and becomes saved...They are not lost any more and not only that, the part that was dead now comes to life. Life takes on a whole new meaning, the things of God seem to be clearer...Words like hope...start to take on new meaning. The word of God, that was foolish before, starts to become, let's say "wonderful"...They now can see a direction for their life, not lost anymore.
So as men we need to celebrate when hearing of the good news...When one is "saved", or when one turns back. When God is doing mighty works! No matter how small or big we think they are, when God is working it is mighty! Rejoice with those who rejoice! You know in this parable the father stopped what he was doing and celebrated the return of his lost son. It is important to celebrate, to take joy...and most important of all to give thanks to God, for the mighty work He is doing in our lives and the lives of others.
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