Tue, Dec 26th - 8:26PM

incomplete

sorry guys i guess my last posting was a little anemic in content. I tried to post it at work on break and was not able to complete it like I would have liked.

The point is you need to be poor in spirit (See yourself in need of God) in order for the blood of Christ to change you and make you ready for the kingdom fo God.

Mon, Dec 25th - 9:51PM

"those who mourn

More from the book The Applause of Heaven by Max Lacado

³"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and left unchanged because after his dialogue with Jesus he left because he was too proud to submit his life to God. He put his strenght in his ability to do it on his own. He said himself  in regaurds to God's commandments ²⁰"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

Peter listened to Jesus and hil life was changed. Saul a proud man the best of the Jews saw himself and the Cheif of sinners. These two men got new names Simon to Peter Saul to Peter. Both went on to make names for themselfs and God. The rich young had no name in the Bible and we have never heard of im sence.

Humble your self and see yourself and you are "poor in spirit" and the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours.

Alive and well in Christ

Tim

Thu, Dec 21st - 11:44AM

His Hiltop

I work with a gal who works part time. She has two daughters and a Husband who has a good job. I am amazed that she comes to work and one of the first things she says is "wow I jsut had five days off of work and all I did was run. My life is so busy." I work full time and I run from sun pu till sun down. Life is busy and we have a thousand and one things bidding for our time.

Jesus had this pull his disiples want to learn from him. The multitudes wanted him they followed him relentlessly. Some of the times when Jesus saw the crouds he went to them and taught and healed them. But this time just before the sermon he went up the hill.

 ¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them saying:

Often times we see Jesus going up to pray early in the morning. We need to follow his lead and pull away and recharge. I know you have all heard this but. I know I need to be reminded. I t is a struggle a daily struggle to find time. John maxwell says "If you do not plan and set aside the time to do it you won"t do it"

I am reminded of a childhood sundayschool song. "Climb climb up sunshine mountain heavenly breezes blow. Turn turn from sin and doubting look up to the sky. We need to come back from the mountain like moses did and have the glow of God on our face so when we are in a valley of life we can have the Joy of God the "Sacred Delight" to make it through and to show what God can do to others.

Alive and well in Christ

Tim

Tue, Dec 19th - 12:35PM

The Beatitudes

I am in the process of reading a book by Max Lacado titled The Applause of Heaven I would like to share a few thoughts from the book. I will go chapter by chapter and share what this excellent writer has put in his book. Of course I will share any insights the Holy Spirit reveals to me.

Let me start by posting the text for you.

  ¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them saying:
    ³"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
    ⁵Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
    ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
    ⁷Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
    ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
    ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
    ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Chapter 1 Sacred Delight

One question I have always asked was how do some people go thru bad times and still have joy and optomism that just does not fit with the problems they are having. In this book Max suggests that Jesus had it and we can get it form him. He calls it "Sacred Delight". Sacred because ti comes from God. Because it is God's joy.

This Joy is knowing God is on your side he is your backup, he your best friend. That is what gets you thru the hard times. The Bible is full of God getting people thru things that they were not sure he would. I think of David after sinning and loosing a baby and not eating for days. While on the floor i am sure he felt like his world had ended but God got him thru.

This I hope gives you a overview of the chapter and a few thoughts please respond help me think this through and we can learn and grow together.

Alive and well in Christ Jesus

Tim Ray