Tag: need

What have we done with Jesus?

“Don’t bring Jesus here. Don’t include Him in there,” growls the Public School System and the Public Squares.

“His name offends. Leave it out altogether. It’s time for tolerance,” exclaims the media’s voice.

Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:20.

Are we tolerant of everything except Jesus? Can we not discern the double standards?

There is no mystery. God’s Word explains:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Jesus. Foolishness to those who are perishing.

But God . . .

He allows in this broken world, the blessing of brokenness in the lives of man, that the heart of man might have vision, in due time, to finally see Jesus, as the Passover Lamb, who’s blood was shed that our lives might be saved.

And we are “being saved” after we finally admit we are “perishing” in our own wisdom and strength, and we pray for the first genuine time, “I need You Lord.” I need a Savior to deliver me from myself and sin. Forgive me and give me life again.”

And to us who are “being saved” we know Jesus, as the name who resurrects what was dead and brings it to life.

We know Jesus to be the Light for the steps we take in this dark world.

We know Jesus to be a flowing river of deep abiding joy and peace. Jesus becomes our “better than” wine.

God is Spirit. He’s everywhere. He’s in the Public School, whether they know it or not. God is in the Public Square, He’s in the history stories and science book.

God is in control.

What have we done with Jesus?

That’s a personal question. God works one-on-one.

Jesus waits.

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe 1Corinthians 1:21.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength 1 Corinthians 1:25.

The Report has gone out.

Privately, one-by-one, Jesus waits when we realize we are perishing after going astray, and grace enters full-view, and we see He died for just me,

only me.

And our minds open wide and we bid Him invitation.

He’s gracious. He’s compassionate. He knows we are but sheep:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all Isaiah 53:6.

Have we invited Him in? Anywhere is fine for the Lord. The public square, the school library. He dwells in hearts of praise. Let’s believe Him today.

Isaiah 53:1-5: “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from  him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities,
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 
and with his stripes we are healed.”

Please talk to someone if you asked Jesus in your heart today! Angels in heaven rejoice when a heart receives salvation. God bless you, for all eternity with life abundant.







Answers From a Pearl Story

The phone’s misplaced.  A mini-computer loaded with personal dates, numbers, and important information is missing.

This sudden irritation brings about . . . a frantic search.

The moment of realization that something of value is missing brings about a halt of less important activity and heightens a new direction to find the lost item.

Change occurs.

After crisis,  a cancer diagnosis, scheduled chemo treatments, scheduled  surgery, or crashing disappointment, hurt and pain, there is realization of a loss—peace and security have disappeared. Crisis brings about search for answers.

Questions flood the intellect and emotions are restless.

I remember sitting in the infusion chair receiving my first chemo treatment. God sent a friend who gave me a story about a pearl merchant searching for precious pearls.

When this pearl merchant finally found a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought the precious pearl.

He didn’t hesitate to pay full price. He sacrificed all for its possession.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 
 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” Matthew 13:45-46.
We quickly think, “This is a Bible story.” The merchant must be people searching for God. Jesus is the Pearl of great worth.
And when we, merchants searching for God find Jesus, the most worthy pearl, we give God our heart to receive His amazing grace. We lay down our lives to follow Him.
But wait.
The picture can be drawn completely different. In a time of crisis, when searching grows deeper, there’s discovery of an entirely new picture to this parable.
What if Jesus is the merchant looking for fine pearls?
We don’t feel fine.
An irritated grain of sand in an oyster is the beginning of the making of a pearl.
The oyster surrounds the irritant with a covering. Over a process of time the crystalline covering hardens and creates a pearl.
Jesus is the merchant. He searches to and fro.
When He finds us seeking Him with an open heart,  He reveals Himself.
We awaken to His sacrifice.
He gave up His life.
In our pain and suffering, we become fully aware,
He suffered for us.
Broken, hurting people irritated by grains of sand, sin, and pain, receive a covering of His grace. Jesus re-creates us into a pearl.
Jesus makes beauty from irritants and sins. He covers us in His righteousness, as we search for Him.
 “. . . to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair”
Isaiah 61:2,3.
Viewed as a pearl of great price, yes, of course, our Jesus.
But Jesus’ view of us, precious and covered in His love and delight,
His covering brings, beauty out of pain, peace and rest.