Oh, brothers...

Oh, brothers...
I'm the oldest and even at age 50 I like to give my little brother a hard time.
Because I'm still the oldest and wisest, of course.
(Hey, stop snickering)

Interesting little dialog in John 7:3-8 between Jesus and his brothers.   TIP: Read around it for more context.
(Yes - Jesus had younger brothers.  Technically half-brothers - since Joseph was the father for the brothers.)

Imagine - for a moment - growing up as Jesus' younger brother. Wow.  Talk about mom and dad having high expectations for you.

But at the same time - imagine how hard it would be to get over your disbelief that your big brother is the Son of God.  The Messiah.  Quite a challenge.

A challenge that was too hard for them to overcome in these verses.
Compare their words with Jesus stinging but on-the-point response.

Eventually - Jesus' brother James became a leader (and Bible book author - inspired by the Holy Spirit) in the early church following Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension.
See James.

=========================

Lord thank you for this tidbit of insight into the daily life of Jesus.
Simple things like dealing with brothers and family.
Showing us that our harshest critics are often those closest to us.
(and ourselves...)
Grant us patience and peace.
Amen.

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Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Election time?!?

Ah...election time.
But not what you're thinking...

Check out Ephesians 1:4-6.
This is totally different kind of "election process".
If you are a Christian - then God is saying that before time began, before the creation of the world, he voted for YOU!

Voted for you to be adopted as his child.
Someone very special to Him.

Pastor gave a great illustration in our worship service.
He offered someone sitting in front a $100 bill.  Crisp, shiny, new.
They said - sure - they'd take it.
Then he folded it up and creased it up.  He asked if they still wanted it.
They said - of course.
Then he crumpled it up and made it all messy.  He asked if they still wanted it.
They said - yes.

Why?
Because it still had it's full value.

And God in verse 6 freely showers his grace on us.
No matter how crumpled up and messy we are - we retain our value to him.
Not rejected based on how well we are doing.

I know - this is some advanced theology coursework here, folks.
And the only way we can really "get it" (understand it) is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Questions - talk to your pastor about it.
I guarantee he would love to hear from you!

=========================

Father in heaven,
Thank you for signing the adoption papers before I even existed.
Thank you for not abandoning me even when I walk away.
Bring me home!
Amen.

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Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Too much sun?

Had to drive into the sun this morning.
There's just no good way to place your sunglasses, visor, hand so that you are not blinded.
Too much sun?

But upon getting out of the car - I turned and saw I was casting the coolest shadow.  Ever wanted to be 100 feet tall?  This was it.  

Was reading Matthew 17:1-13 this morning.
Check it out.
Jesus disciples were overwhelmed by too much sun.
(too much Son?)

Because when the Son shines - it can be hard to handle.
Why?  Because he lights up every flaw, every stumble, every sin.
The 100-foot shadows of my past and my behavior are 100% visible.

And then for the disciples a voice came from the cloud saying "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!"

This knocked them flat.

And Jesus came and said - "Get up, don't be afraid.".

When I am knocked flat by the Son - lighting up my sin for everyone to see - I am not down for the count.
Jesus holds out a hand and says - "Get up, don't be afraid.".

What?  How?  
Short answer: God's love and being pleased with his Son is mine (and yours) because of what that Son did for us. (for more info click the link at the bottom [What's the big deal about Jesus?])

==============================

Thank you Lord for the sun.
And even more, for the Son.
And even more, for what that Son did for me.
And even more, because of that, what you have in store for me (eternal life with you in the heaven).
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Too much yeast?

I used to make pizza once in a while.  The recipe called for using yeast.

Yeast is kind of tricky stuff - you have to mix it with the right stuff at the right temperature and let it sit for the right amount of time.

Yeast doesn't belong in every recipe, though.

I found it interesting how yeast came up as I read in Matthew (16:5-12) and Mark (8:13-26).  
Jesus mentions yeast in passing.
His disciples were confused - to say the least.

Jesus cleared it up for them - just like he does for us through his Word.

Not tricky stuff at all - as long as you are in the right stuff for the right amount of time.  (temperature may vary)

Hey Jesus,
So much of what I see confuses me.
It's such tricky stuff.
Lead me back to the comfort found in your Word.
Help me see how important it is to spend quality time in it.
And to see the blessings you sprinkle all over my life through it.
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Too much luxury?

The Element Hotel

My problem is that I've got too much luxury.
Even worse - I don't appreciate it.

I'm sitting here in a way fancy hotel room in Houston - well rested, well fed, internet at my fingertips (obviously).
And thinking I'd rather be somewhere else.
Thinking I wanted to sleep later.  Wondering why they can't start serving breakfast at 6 AM instead of 6:30. 
Oh, poor, pitiful me.

Yeah, right.

This is me not appreciating the luxurious blessings overflowing my world right now.
Not that I'm supposed to brag on them.
But just notice, realize, understand - where the goodness, the luxury, comes from.

Like the Israelite people talking to God as the book of Malachi starts (Malachi 1:1-5).
God says "I love you" and the people respond with "Really?  How?".

And God proceeds to remind them.
The rest of the chapter is an interesting conversation between God and belligerent stubborn people.

Sound familiar...look familiar?

Oh, yeah - poor, pitiful me.

Lord, 
Help me drop the pity act.
And take on the salvation promise.
Won for me through Jesus Christ.
Given to me freely - the most luxurious gift of all - 1000% guaranteed!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Day Next?: (Do the Write Thing) Your turn...

Day Next?

We've completed the 30 day "Do the Write Thing" series.  Now what?
What short sections of scripture would you suggest for a another series (to appear later)?
(optional) What songs would you suggest with them?

Use the comments to give me your suggestions!

Lord,
Thanks for the opportunity to gather around your Word with all these fellow believers in Jesus Christ.  Help us to "do the write/right thing" every day!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Day 30: (Do the Write Thing) Great - GREAT - Awesome - AWESOME - Joy - JOY

Do the Write thing 30-day series.  (write out this bible passage today - by hand! - in your favorite translation - or at least click the link and read through it...)

Day 30

Psalm 105:1-7

There is great then there is GREAT.
There is awesome and then there is AWESOME.
There is joy and then their is JOY.

ALL CAPS belongs to God.  He owns them entirely.

"Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."

Think on the ALL CAPS God today.

Song - Great is the Lord (Michael W. Smith)

Great are you Lord - you are worthy of glory.
Help me lift up my voice and my life today.
To shine my light for all to see.
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?