Friends today is Friday before Memorial Day which is Monday. In Hebrews 11 and verse 4 we read about Abel. It says by faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain” and as the verse concludes it says, “and through faith though he is dead he still speaks.”
As I looked at the brick among many bricks in this World War II memorial the name on the brick would not mean much to you. Under the name were these words…Pacific, Okinawa and China. But this brick means a lot to me. For you see the name on the brick is my Dad’s. John W. Navarre. He served during World War II. He died 7 years ago. When I stand and look at this memorial brick…I remember.
Here’s a poem from a man named John Lyttle on this Memorial Day weekend to encourage us TO NEVER FORGET BUT TO REMEMBER:
Stand by my grave and remember
Come, stand by my grave and weep
Hang your head low but lift up your cry
Unfurl the banner let the flags fly
And never forget the life that I gave
Today is the day to stand by my grave…and remember
Stand by my grave and remember
Come, stand by my grave and weep
However, whenever, wherever I died
Why, how much or whoever has cried
Just never forget the life that I gave
For the land of the free and the home of the brave
Today is the day to stand by my grave…and remember
Stand by my grave and remember
Come stand by my grave and weep
Just think of the things I have missed through the years
I felt none of the joy and shed none of the tears
So never forget the life that I gave
For the land of the free and the home of the brave
Unfurl the flag, long may it wave
Today is the day to stand by my grave…and remember
Stand by my grave and remember
Come, stand by my grave and weep
Remember, my troubles and trials are through
Weep but the weeping is really for you
Still never forget the life that I gave
For land of the free and the home of the brave
Unfurl the flag, long may it wave
O’er the country I died to protect and save
Today is the day to stand by my grave…and remember
Most of us live and labor under the delusion that hardly anyone cares what we do…and that nobody will care when we are gone.
This is not true…the first person to ever experience physical death upon this planet according to Hebrews 11:4…still speaks. And as I look at the brick that bears the name of my Dad…I REMEMBER.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Well look! It's Jesus!
Today’s bible boost comes from the story of two men just walking along the way found in Luke 24 verses 13 thru 35. The man that join these two walking along the way seemed so ordinary, just like every one else so human. But it was Jesus.
They met him on the road to Emmaus. One of them was named Cleopas. We really don’t know anything about this man Cleopas. He is not mentioned again in the Holy Bible. His companion is not named at all. So it really seems a bit strange that Jesus appeared to these two. It seems to me that if Jesus was going to appear to anyone AFTER His resurrection is would be to important people. You know, people in authority, those who could really announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Jesus didn’t. He appeared to these two unlikely men and they didn’t realize that it was Jesus.
How could they know? He seemed so much like every body else. His voice sounded like any voice you would hear in the public square. His face did not appear unusual in any way. His dress didn’t give him away. He looked like anyone else who would be walking along some dusty road. But, nevertheless it was Jesus.
I am reminded of the scripture in Matthew 25 verse 13 and following where Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me no meat; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger and you took me not in; I was naked and you clothed me not, sick and in prison and you did not visited me.”
WHO would not want to help Jesus? Well friends the answer is quite obvious. Jus like the two ones walking along the road to Emmaus…WE PROBABLY DON’T RECOGNIZE HIM. Perhaps He looks to human or to ordinary. Perhaps he comes in a guise of a crippled boy shut up in the back room of a ordinary looking house. Or perhaps he comes as an elderly person closed up in an old folks home with no family, no friends and no one to talk to. Maybe Jesus chooses to come along side us as a troubled teen or a troubled marriage. It may be the tattooed, missing teeth inmate in the correction facility. Those two men, they would have treated him differently if only they had known that it was Jesus.
I am reminded of a quotation from “The Nun’s Story” by Kathryn Hulme…she wrote…”all for Jesus, Sister William said in the ward pulling on the rubber gloves. Say my dear students, every time you are called upon for what seems like an impossible task. All for Jesus. Then you can do anything with serenity. Say it for the bed pans, for the old folks you bath, say it briskly as you bend to change a dressing full of corruption. All for Jesus…”
That my friends it what it takes for us to recognize Jesus. These two on the road to Emmaus, I believe it is significant that they didn’t recognize Jesus until they sat down to eat with Him. Throughout the long afternoon they had profound discussions of currents events and theology. Beginning at Moses and all thru the prophets Jesus the Master teacher expounded to these two men and yet they didn’t recognize the Messiah, Jesus right in front of them. But, it was not until the intimacy of the evening meal that their eyes were opened.
Friends, perhaps this is the key to recognizing Jesus in our own day and age. Statistics on a page or casual traveling companions seldom touch our hearts or probe our souls. The constant bombardment on the television callous us to the needs of those around us. It is only when we become involved with people on a much deeper, intimate way that our eyes are opened to see Jesus.
So let us remember our Bible boost for today from Luke 24 verse 30 and 31. “when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to Cleopas and his companion the bible says their “eyes were opened”.
It is only when we look around and open our eyes do we see Jesus all around.
I am praying for you and your family.
They met him on the road to Emmaus. One of them was named Cleopas. We really don’t know anything about this man Cleopas. He is not mentioned again in the Holy Bible. His companion is not named at all. So it really seems a bit strange that Jesus appeared to these two. It seems to me that if Jesus was going to appear to anyone AFTER His resurrection is would be to important people. You know, people in authority, those who could really announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Jesus didn’t. He appeared to these two unlikely men and they didn’t realize that it was Jesus.
How could they know? He seemed so much like every body else. His voice sounded like any voice you would hear in the public square. His face did not appear unusual in any way. His dress didn’t give him away. He looked like anyone else who would be walking along some dusty road. But, nevertheless it was Jesus.
I am reminded of the scripture in Matthew 25 verse 13 and following where Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me no meat; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger and you took me not in; I was naked and you clothed me not, sick and in prison and you did not visited me.”
WHO would not want to help Jesus? Well friends the answer is quite obvious. Jus like the two ones walking along the road to Emmaus…WE PROBABLY DON’T RECOGNIZE HIM. Perhaps He looks to human or to ordinary. Perhaps he comes in a guise of a crippled boy shut up in the back room of a ordinary looking house. Or perhaps he comes as an elderly person closed up in an old folks home with no family, no friends and no one to talk to. Maybe Jesus chooses to come along side us as a troubled teen or a troubled marriage. It may be the tattooed, missing teeth inmate in the correction facility. Those two men, they would have treated him differently if only they had known that it was Jesus.
I am reminded of a quotation from “The Nun’s Story” by Kathryn Hulme…she wrote…”all for Jesus, Sister William said in the ward pulling on the rubber gloves. Say my dear students, every time you are called upon for what seems like an impossible task. All for Jesus. Then you can do anything with serenity. Say it for the bed pans, for the old folks you bath, say it briskly as you bend to change a dressing full of corruption. All for Jesus…”
That my friends it what it takes for us to recognize Jesus. These two on the road to Emmaus, I believe it is significant that they didn’t recognize Jesus until they sat down to eat with Him. Throughout the long afternoon they had profound discussions of currents events and theology. Beginning at Moses and all thru the prophets Jesus the Master teacher expounded to these two men and yet they didn’t recognize the Messiah, Jesus right in front of them. But, it was not until the intimacy of the evening meal that their eyes were opened.
Friends, perhaps this is the key to recognizing Jesus in our own day and age. Statistics on a page or casual traveling companions seldom touch our hearts or probe our souls. The constant bombardment on the television callous us to the needs of those around us. It is only when we become involved with people on a much deeper, intimate way that our eyes are opened to see Jesus.
So let us remember our Bible boost for today from Luke 24 verse 30 and 31. “when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to Cleopas and his companion the bible says their “eyes were opened”.
It is only when we look around and open our eyes do we see Jesus all around.
I am praying for you and your family.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Invite others to Jesus!
His name was "Andrehas" in the Greek. It means "manly". When we first see him in the New Testament he is being called by Jesus in Matthew 4:18. In Matthew 10:2 he is listed as one of the twelve. However, it is in John's gospel record that we see "Andrehas" usefulness and he provides an example to us. It's in the gospel of John that we learn more about Andrew.
First, in John 1:40-42, "one of the two who heard Jesus speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He (Andrew) first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, 'we have found the Messiah'...he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus."
WOW! Praise the Lord. Here is an individual who sees, hears and experiences the Messiah who is not just content to have the touch of the Master on his own life but wants to share it with others. He immediately thinks of his brother, Simon, and wants to tell him the good news. Andrew goes out of his way to find and invite his brother, Simon, to come and see for himself what Andrew found, the Messiah. Can we learn anything from this event? I hope so.
Secondly, we find Andrew again in John 6:1-9. Here we see a great gathering of 5000 men not counting the women and children present to hear the words of Jesus. They become concerned because the people look weak in need of food. But, as they talk amongst themselves, they realize just how much food would be needed to feed such a crowd. Guess who steps up? Yep, here he is again. "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother said to Him, 'there is a lad here...' Andrew, again, is bringing another one to Jesus. A small boy this time.
The third time we Andrew in John is chapter 12 verses 20 thru 33. A group of foreigners who were preparing for worship sought to see Jesus. Who steps up? You guessed it. It is Andrew, AGAIN. Along with Philip, Andrew is mentioned as one who leads these foreigners to the Master.
In these three examples Andrew is shown as the one who is concerned about OTHERS. He is concerned about his relatives, little children and even foreigners. We can learn valuable lessons from "Andrehas", the manly one.
Look around. There are folks in your sphere of influence who are searching, longing, maybe even hurting who are looking for "the promised one". The one who can bring hope, healing and strength. The ONLY one who can bring SALVATION.
May I encourage you to take up the cause of Jesus Christ, just like Andrew. Let's take the message of love, hope and salvation to the world. Allow it to begin TODAY and let it begin with US.
I am praying for you and your family,
First, in John 1:40-42, "one of the two who heard Jesus speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He (Andrew) first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, 'we have found the Messiah'...he (Andrew) brought him (Simon) to Jesus."
WOW! Praise the Lord. Here is an individual who sees, hears and experiences the Messiah who is not just content to have the touch of the Master on his own life but wants to share it with others. He immediately thinks of his brother, Simon, and wants to tell him the good news. Andrew goes out of his way to find and invite his brother, Simon, to come and see for himself what Andrew found, the Messiah. Can we learn anything from this event? I hope so.
Secondly, we find Andrew again in John 6:1-9. Here we see a great gathering of 5000 men not counting the women and children present to hear the words of Jesus. They become concerned because the people look weak in need of food. But, as they talk amongst themselves, they realize just how much food would be needed to feed such a crowd. Guess who steps up? Yep, here he is again. "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother said to Him, 'there is a lad here...' Andrew, again, is bringing another one to Jesus. A small boy this time.
The third time we Andrew in John is chapter 12 verses 20 thru 33. A group of foreigners who were preparing for worship sought to see Jesus. Who steps up? You guessed it. It is Andrew, AGAIN. Along with Philip, Andrew is mentioned as one who leads these foreigners to the Master.
In these three examples Andrew is shown as the one who is concerned about OTHERS. He is concerned about his relatives, little children and even foreigners. We can learn valuable lessons from "Andrehas", the manly one.
Look around. There are folks in your sphere of influence who are searching, longing, maybe even hurting who are looking for "the promised one". The one who can bring hope, healing and strength. The ONLY one who can bring SALVATION.
May I encourage you to take up the cause of Jesus Christ, just like Andrew. Let's take the message of love, hope and salvation to the world. Allow it to begin TODAY and let it begin with US.
I am praying for you and your family,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)