“And behold the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.” Matthew 9:34
Most people in our modern scientific age believe that if they could just see a true miracle, all the objections against belief in God would melt away, and multitudes would become Christians on the spot. The reality is quite different. Miracles in and of themselves are not a guarantee of faith in anyone, not in Jesus’ day and certainly not in our day.
When Jesus landed in the region of the Gadarenes, He was a confronted by two demon-possessed men, who had haunted this region for sometime. They wandered the hills and the graveyards naked, were extremely violent and terrorized the people who lived there. At times, people couldn’t walk the main road due to their threats.
When Jesus got out of the boat, these men immediately confronted Him. Jesus rebuked the legion of demons in the men and sent them into a herd of swine grazing nearby. The pigs rushed down the hill and off the cliff into the sea and drowned. When word reached the city about what happened, many came out to see Jesus. They found the two men, seated, clothed and in their right mind (Mark 5:15).
Our first thought is that surely revival followed with many people from Gadara trusting in Jesus. But it was just the opposite. Instead of embracing Jesus, the people of the area begged Him to leave. An actual miracle done in their midst did not compel them to believe. It merely hardened their hearts against Jesus and made them want Him gone from their town.
Miracles have never guaranteed faith (look at Moses and Pharaoh) and never will. What brings us to faith is the conviction of sin and the humbling of our hearts before the Lord. That is a work of the Holy Spirit. We need to ask Him to work in the hearts of unbelievers to help them see their sin and lostness. That’s what brings them to Christ. Miracles alone aren’t enough.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
A SURPRISING FAITH by Jeff Steele
“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43
Our familiarity with the stories in scripture sometimes blinds us to the true depth of their meaning. Such is the case with the thief on the cross. The scripture says that after taunting Jesus in the morning, he had a change of heart as the day wore on. Something in the way Jesus faced death grabbed his heart. Later in the day, he rebuked his fellow thief and called out to Jesus for help. He asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came in His kingdom. Jesus assured him that that very day he would be with Him in Paradise.
What we often fail to recognize is the great irony of this exchange. Here is a man dying on a cross for crimes he committed, calling out to another man dying on a cross right next to him! Don’t you think it’s strange to call out to a dying man to save yourself from dying? Why would he ask Jesus to remember him in His kingdom when it didn’t look like Jesus could save Himself?
This is great faith birthed into the heart of the thief on the cross. Despite all the outward evidence before his eyes, he recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. He understood that whatever happened that day, death would not be the last word on Jesus’ life. With little knowledge to go on, he managed to cry out in faith to the only one who could truly help him. And Jesus responded by promising him a place in Paradise with Him that very day.
Don’t let your familiarity with these events blind you to the great implications of what faith in Jesus can do, even in hopeless situations. The thief’s faith in Christ was rewarded with a place in heaven and the forgiveness of his sins. Asking a dying man to save you doesn’t make sense. But Jesus gave the man far more than he could have imagined. We now serve a living Jesus. Let’s be people of faith in our daily lives, trusting Jesus even when we can’t see how it will work out.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Our familiarity with the stories in scripture sometimes blinds us to the true depth of their meaning. Such is the case with the thief on the cross. The scripture says that after taunting Jesus in the morning, he had a change of heart as the day wore on. Something in the way Jesus faced death grabbed his heart. Later in the day, he rebuked his fellow thief and called out to Jesus for help. He asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came in His kingdom. Jesus assured him that that very day he would be with Him in Paradise.
What we often fail to recognize is the great irony of this exchange. Here is a man dying on a cross for crimes he committed, calling out to another man dying on a cross right next to him! Don’t you think it’s strange to call out to a dying man to save yourself from dying? Why would he ask Jesus to remember him in His kingdom when it didn’t look like Jesus could save Himself?
This is great faith birthed into the heart of the thief on the cross. Despite all the outward evidence before his eyes, he recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. He understood that whatever happened that day, death would not be the last word on Jesus’ life. With little knowledge to go on, he managed to cry out in faith to the only one who could truly help him. And Jesus responded by promising him a place in Paradise with Him that very day.
Don’t let your familiarity with these events blind you to the great implications of what faith in Jesus can do, even in hopeless situations. The thief’s faith in Christ was rewarded with a place in heaven and the forgiveness of his sins. Asking a dying man to save you doesn’t make sense. But Jesus gave the man far more than he could have imagined. We now serve a living Jesus. Let’s be people of faith in our daily lives, trusting Jesus even when we can’t see how it will work out.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Monday, June 15, 2009
INSTILL A DESIRE TO KNOW JESUS by Paul Luna
“One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’” Luke 18:15-17.
While Jesus walked on Earth he encouraged parents to bring their children to him. He applauded the children for having a child-like faith. Jesus wants us to bring our children to him so that one day we will have the pleasure of leading our children into a relationship with Him. Are you aware that more than 50% of Christians choose to follow Jesus between ages 5 and 9? From the moment children are born, God wants their parents to instill a passion for Him to help them build strong, lasting friendships with Jesus. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:
Model a life committed to prayer and discovery for your children. Let your kids overhear your daily talks with God. Take time to speak about the ways God answers your prayers. Also, read to your children and let them see you reading the Bible. Model a love for Scripture by letting your kids see you read (and live) it regularly.
Emphasize that your child needs to make wise choices. Show your child that the Bible is relevant personally and will help him or her make the wise choice. Trust and follow Jesus. Apply a specific biblical message to a child’s situation. For example, if your child is afraid, explain that the Bible says God will never leave them.
Encourage your children to trust God -- no matter what. Teach your children to trust Jesus during tough times. Remind your children that He is their Father and Savior who loves and guides them.
Explain to your kids that Jesus wants them to treat others the way they want to be treated. Tell your children they should show God’s love to those around them, care enough to put others before them and be the right friend to those beside them.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
While Jesus walked on Earth he encouraged parents to bring their children to him. He applauded the children for having a child-like faith. Jesus wants us to bring our children to him so that one day we will have the pleasure of leading our children into a relationship with Him. Are you aware that more than 50% of Christians choose to follow Jesus between ages 5 and 9? From the moment children are born, God wants their parents to instill a passion for Him to help them build strong, lasting friendships with Jesus. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:
Model a life committed to prayer and discovery for your children. Let your kids overhear your daily talks with God. Take time to speak about the ways God answers your prayers. Also, read to your children and let them see you reading the Bible. Model a love for Scripture by letting your kids see you read (and live) it regularly.
Emphasize that your child needs to make wise choices. Show your child that the Bible is relevant personally and will help him or her make the wise choice. Trust and follow Jesus. Apply a specific biblical message to a child’s situation. For example, if your child is afraid, explain that the Bible says God will never leave them.
Encourage your children to trust God -- no matter what. Teach your children to trust Jesus during tough times. Remind your children that He is their Father and Savior who loves and guides them.
Explain to your kids that Jesus wants them to treat others the way they want to be treated. Tell your children they should show God’s love to those around them, care enough to put others before them and be the right friend to those beside them.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
THE BEST LESSONS IN LIFE by Paul Luna
Late Friday night I was watching a movie when my son, Mason, appeared at the top of the stairs crying. I picked him up, sat him on the couch and asked him what was wrong. He said he had a bad dream about a frog that jumped on his bed and ate him. Even worse, I wasn’t there to step on the frog and “pop” him. While you and I might find this humorous, I was reminded to let him know that while I can’t always be there for him, God is always there for him.
After I wiped away the tears, I told Mason that sometimes his daddy has bad dreams too, but I know God is watching over me and he loves me always. We talked about how God is more powerful than the scariest monsters in our dreams and has a huge army of super-strong angels. Mason pointed out to me that he cannot see the angels or God. I reassured him they are there. After all, we can’t see the air we blow out of our mouth, but we can feel it hit our hand. After I said that and added a few tickles to the tummy, Mason was free from worry as I tucked him back into bed.
As a parent, we need to look for opportunities to teach our children spiritual lessons. In fact, the Bible tells parents to, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up,” Deut 6:7. Some of the most important lessons your child learns will not be taught in a Sunday Small Group, but will be taught in the form of a discussion between you and child.
I encourage you to take the little and big events that happen in your and your child’s life and make them lessons. Use life’s circumstances to teach them about humility, honesty, integrity, friendship, courage and kindness. Sometimes the biggest lessons in life are taught in the small conversations we have with our kids.
Read more blogs at http:www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
After I wiped away the tears, I told Mason that sometimes his daddy has bad dreams too, but I know God is watching over me and he loves me always. We talked about how God is more powerful than the scariest monsters in our dreams and has a huge army of super-strong angels. Mason pointed out to me that he cannot see the angels or God. I reassured him they are there. After all, we can’t see the air we blow out of our mouth, but we can feel it hit our hand. After I said that and added a few tickles to the tummy, Mason was free from worry as I tucked him back into bed.
As a parent, we need to look for opportunities to teach our children spiritual lessons. In fact, the Bible tells parents to, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up,” Deut 6:7. Some of the most important lessons your child learns will not be taught in a Sunday Small Group, but will be taught in the form of a discussion between you and child.
I encourage you to take the little and big events that happen in your and your child’s life and make them lessons. Use life’s circumstances to teach them about humility, honesty, integrity, friendship, courage and kindness. Sometimes the biggest lessons in life are taught in the small conversations we have with our kids.
Read more blogs at http:www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
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