The Sciotoville Christian Church

I don’t mean to poke fun or anything, but when I say this is odd what I am saying is if you would see this couple walking along the beach what would you do? Would you just walk on as if a 5’9 man was walking along with a 5’6 woman? Anyone who would see this couple out in public would stop and stare (don’t think you wouldn’t or that you are too good of a Christian to stare at people, because in this case you would!). The difference is so striking that one just can’t help but stare in amazement at the obvious! Think of the things they don’t have in common. Can you imagine if they had to share a car! I mean there is only about 3 or 4 inches difference between me and my wife and I get aggravated pushing the seat back and forth and adjusting the mirror every time we swap vehicles.  Or think about the showerhead for just a second! Can you imagine how tall the showerhead would have to be for him to wash off, but then on her side of this deal she would have to have boiling water coming out of the showerhead to avoid ice-cycles by the time it got down to her!

O, what an ordeal this marriage must be!!!!  

OK, Jason what’s your point? Well the point is this: when any two different persons of a strikingly different make-up come together it should make people stop and stare in amazement. And just like in every relationship there are going to be some adjustments that are necessary in order for the relationship to work out, but in this case the adjustments are a bit of a stretch.

It’s just like man’s relationship with God! The prophet Isaiah tells us that our sins have separated us from God and that our righteousness (or the very best that we can do) is but filthy rags in comparison to our God! And yet God desires to have a relationship with us! This is an amazing thing and adjustments are needed in order for this relationship to happen. God’s adjustment is simply defined as GRACE and man’s adjustment is OBEDIENCE. If ma obeys the then God’s grace can create this very odd couple and people will stop and stare!

I can almost imagine Adam and Eve as they would stroll through the Garden with God. I can imagine how all the animals would stop and stare at what an odd group. Even man before the fall could surely not be as impressive as the Maker of all things! And then my mind wonders to the shores of Galilee where a group of men walked with a Man, the Son of Man. I know that people could tell a difference in the men as they walked! I know the difference had to be a striking one! I know that people just wanted to stop and stare at this odd couple! And then my mind wonders to the resurrection of the dead, not of our Savior, but of the saints. The day when this mortal shall put on immortality and I wonder if, maybe just for a moment, if creation will once again stop and think… “What an odd thing to see again. Man walking with God? How could this be?”

The Amplified Bible reads like this- ^{Ro 5:1} THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified ( acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). ² Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

Precious ones of God let us rejoice today at the odd couple: God and you! And let’s give Him praise for His mercy and grace that makes that “walk on the beach” possible!

Take for example this week in London. According to DailyIndia.com an Austrian Assyriologist, Professor Michael Jursa was doing some study through the more than 130,000 pieces of Assyrian collections held at the British Museum’s Arched Room when he discovered a name - Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, described there in a hand 2,500 years old, as "the chief eunuch" of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon (see underlined name above; different spelling but the same guy) .

First, let me say I have a hard time understanding anyone going through 130,000 pieces of Assyrian anything, but he did! Secondly, I am not sure what he was looking for, but what he found has already been called one of the most important Biblical archaeological finds in more that 100 years. This finding helps to reaffirm the historical accuracy of the scriptures and if the Bible is accurate historically, think of the possibilities of its spiritual accuracy!

I have heard that with every turn of the historians spade the Bible is being proved over and over again! So just when you think God is trying to bore you to sleep with miscellaneous facts and figures, dig deeper and expand your faith!

…because He still lives, Jason

Comments (0) 13.07.2007. 10:07

Important issues

    There are so many issues swirling around us from the upcoming elections, rising gas, abortion rights, the role of government, and the pressures in our homes to spend the quality time with our children or grandchildren that is needed to be in a position of influence on them. All of these issues are important. All of these issues need to be addressed. However, many never consider the salvation of their souls to be ranked among the most important issues in their life.

    This current series we are beginning on “How can I know I am saved” is centered around raising the issue of salvation and allowing the scriptures to convict, convert, and control us in our daily living. One of my goals for this series is for each of us to take a long hard look at our relationship with the Lord, and to make sure that that relationship is not only based on the eternal truth of the scriptures, but also spurs ongoing maturity from day to day. If we will spend some time every day focusing on our relationship with the Lord all of the other “important” issues will be put in the proper perspectives and will be addressed in a way that honors God first and will provide the ability to meet the needs of and provide for the answering of all the other “important” issues in this life.

    How can we do this? I think there are two keys to spiritual growth that are simple and easy to get started on.

    1st get into the Word everyday! Read the Word in such a way that focuses on understanding and application. A good healthy dose of the Word of God everyday is the best spiritual fertilizer you could ask for. The growth stimulated by study is greater than you can imagine and the great thing is no matter how mature you are in Christ, the Word can continue to convict, convert, and control us! That is a exponentially greater than Miracle Grow.

    2nd get into the closet! You probably would never imagine a preacher telling you to get into the closet, but Jesus did! In fact we the way He mentions the prayer closet in Matthew 6 it would appear that He is expecting the Christian to go there daily. So, get into the prayer closet everyday and build on the relationship that God has called us to.

Comments (0) 16.05.2007. 14:56