God's Perfect Expression

 

Jesus stepped on feelings. He violently ran the moneychangers from the temple, spoke harshly to the Pharisees and was usually frustrated with his disciples. Avoiding conflict and hurt feelings is not always God’s perfect expression. It is God’s truth spoken through you that is.

Matthew 23:25-26 (MSG) 25-26 “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You buff the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something. 

8/1/2021

Connecting Body and Soul

A bartender watering drinks down as it gets later isn’t a new trick. At the wedding at Cana, Jesus did the opposite.  After changing the water into wine, the crowd knew this wine was as good later in the evening as it was earlier. Jesus’ wine (blood) is everlasting; it never dilutes and is the vitality that forms the connecting link between body and soul.

John 2:9-10 (TLB) 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants did), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “This is wonderful stuff!” he said. “You’re different from most. Usually a host uses the best wine first, and afterwards, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, then he brings out the less expensive brands. But you have kept the best for the last!”

7/25/2021

If that's what you want, that's what you get...

 

Salvation, God’s word, common sense and prayer are all free. Yet, if you prefer to be under the spell of ungodly things, you are free to do so. “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” But know that you are like a ship that has sunk and it is of your own volition.

Romans 1:18-25 (AMPC) 18 For God’s [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. 19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves]. 23 And by them the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], 25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).

7/22/2021

Religious Scholars and Pharisees

 

God sent Jesus to lift you up to live in your holy purpose in his New Covenant. His burden is light and his yoke is easy. If you are under an oppressive burden of religious obligations, your teachers and influencers are pointing you there, not God and not Jesus.  

 Matthew 23:2-4 (TPT) 2 “The religious scholars and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ throne as the authorized interpreters of the Law. 3 So listen and follow what they teach, but don’t do what they do, for they tell you one thing and do another. 4 They tie on your backs an oppressive burden of religious obligations and insist that you carry it, but will never lift a finger to help ease your load.

7/18/2021

Love God Love Neighbor

 

Jesus goes to the words Moses gave on how to live “forever.” ….Love the Lord God with all your heart, passion, energy, and every thought…Love your neighbor as well as you love yourself....  Love is respect - respect for God, yourself and others. 

Luke 10:25-28 (TPT) 25 Just then a religious scholar stood before Jesus in order to test his doctrines. He posed this question: “Teacher, what requirement must I fulfill if I want to live forever in heaven?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does Moses teach us? What do you read in the Law?” 27 The religious scholar answered, “It states, ‘You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and your every thought. And you must love your neighbor as well as you love yourself.’” 28 Jesus said, “That is correct. Now go and do exactly that and you will live.”

7/11/2021

The Bread of Life

 

Several times Jesus says of himself, “I am the bread of life.”  Bread and water is physically needed each day but Jesus is about what we need each day that supersedes the physical - love, purpose, joy, responsibility and right standing with God.

John 6:35 (NLT) 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

7/4/2021