Acts 1:14- Joined in Prayer

Joined in Prayer

Jesus has already ascended in to Heaven after his resurrection. We already know that he is down one disciple (Judas hanged himself for betraying Jesus). All of the remaining disciples, Mary mother of Jesus, and other followers of Jesus (including his brothers who were not supportive of his ministry until after his resurrection) met totaling about 120 people. The purpose of this meeting was to find a replacement for the deceased Judas.

In verse 14, we see that they all had one accord. That means that they were all joined together and had unity in their purpose. There were not multiple perspectives on what needed to happen and of what was of the utmost importance. We read "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." They were all praying together for the same purpose. Not selfish motives, but for wisdom in selection a replacement.
 

They selected Matthias who had been a part of their group. They prayed that God would know their hearts and help them select who would be the replacement. I showcase this verse to show unity within the group to God's will and the group's purpose was for solidifying a unit and spreading the word of Christ. I ask this simple question, is your group of friends, loved ones, and/or family united to spread the word of Christ?

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John 13: Jesus is the Portrait of Humility

Jesus is the Portrait of Humility

Are there certain jobs or careers or tasks that seem "beneath" you? Would you ever clean a toilet? Pick up trash? Cutting grass? Maybe you see jobs like that or other ones as beneath you. You can try to qualify your pride by saying you are over qualified, but what about when we are serving others. Are we "too qualified" to be humble and serve? If so, then you are also too prideful.

Jesus wasn't prideful at all. He didn't go on and on about all of the works he has done and bragged about being the son of God. He didn't get all the fancy robes and attire fit for a king. Jesus was humble and sought to serve the will of God above all else. We see in John 13:15-17, after Jesus washes the disciples feet that he tells them that he has set an example for them that they are to follow. We are to do for others what Jesus has done for us. This is not to gain something from God or people, but to serve God by serving people.

In John 13:21, Jesus reveals that he knew one of the disciples would betray him. I love that he didn't call out the guy's name and put his name all out there. Jesus was still serving and did not ostracize him. In this day and age, if we feel wronged by someone we ignore them, hate them and maybe even talk about them on social media. Or we may gossip to people about them. What good does that do? How does that glorify God or reflect our walk with Christ. Yes, we are all imperfect, but we need to check our decisions too.

If you are looking for a way to stretch yourself to serve this coming week, Subway has a deal on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. If you buy one sub you get one free. That doesn't mean you eat both, but give one away. Maybe to a homeless person or someone you work with. Anyone!! Click here for to read more on the offer.

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Luke 24:46-47- The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies

The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies 

When you seek to understand the life of Christ and why he was the Messiah (proof) you will need to not only study the New Testament but the Old Testament as well.

In Luke 24:46-47, Jesus reminds the disciples of what was said in Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. When he does this, he puts the pieces of the puzzle together. 

For instance, Mosiac Law is seen as the 10 Commandments. When you break down each commandment from putting God first and honoring the Sabbath to not bearing false witness and not murdering, we are to do all of this because we are with Christ and seeking to be more like him. Since he was able to fulfill these laws (or even guidelines) and not sin, then the law is fulfilled.

One verse in Psalm 41:9, David references Jesus (before Jesus was born) being betrayed by Judas. 

We do not live by blind faith in Jesus and just accept things as they are because someone told us that is the truth. That is how you can be tricked and fooled if you do not investigate on your own. I am still learning and seeking various tools to assist in my knowledge of Christ and growth in him. 

If you seek knowledge and evidence please feel free to use 100 Prophecies and Got Questions. These two sites have helped me and will continue to do so as I strive to bring you meat and not just milk on a daily basis.

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Mark 16:14- Rebuking Unbelief and Spreading the Word

Rebuking Unbelief and Spreading the Word

We know that after Christ died on the cross and was resurrected. We know that an angel told Mary Magdalene and Mary (mother of James) that Jesus had risen from the dead. But, did you know that as the disciples were told that he had risen, they did not believe it? It wasn't shock, it was disbelief. They did not believe that Jesus did what he said he would do (see Mark 8:31-38).

In verses 9-11, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and tells her to go and tell the disciples that he has risen. They did not believe her. I understand that Jesus would have chosen her because in this time women were not respected. But, when God uses a women to deliver a message and you don't believe the message due to your prejudices, then you have missed the point on following Christ and loving your neighbor as yourself. The disciples messed up again as Jesus appeared to two of them in verses 12-13, but not in the form of Jesus. There is more detail of this encounter in Luke 24:13-35.

In verses 14-16, when Jesus appears the the eleven disciples (used to be 12 but Judas hung himself) he rebukes them for their unbelief. Jesus sent the message of his resurrection by Mary Magdalene and again in another form, yet the disciples did not believe. Jesus said what he would do and who he was, yet when the going got tough, the disciple's faith got going, in the wrong direction.

Then he commanded them to go into the world and make disciple of all nations. This was not specific to only people in one land or another, but in all lands. Jesus did not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color and nation of origin. Jesus explains "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." As we must remember, we cannot just sit on the history of Jesus. We must tell others about him.

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Mark 14:6- Anointing of Jesus

Anointing of Jesus

In Mark 14:6, we get to see Jesus stand up for a woman who, in a sense, was being bullied by people. A woman used expensive oil and poured it over Jesus's head. It was used to anoint him, which symbolizes empowering, blessing and protection in religious ceremonies. Many were upset that she "wasted" the oil on Jesus when it could have been sold for 300 denarii (which would be worth today $30,000 USD).

What these men overlooked was their own selfishness. They overlooked what was being done for Jesus and thought of what they could have done with the money. I equate that to skipping on tithing because you would rather use the money for your own personal gain.

Jesus stood up for her and asked the men why they troubled/bothered her understanding that she did a beautiful thing for him. She did what she could to anoint his body for burial. Jesus is saying that he is going to die.

 Jesus knew he was fulfilling prophecies. He knew the role Judas would have and what part Peter would play. He knew that they would "not always have" him. He foretells his betrayal and his death on the cross.

Jesus knew what his purpose was and went through with it anyway. The more I read about Jesus the more my heart breaks for what our sin did to him. The more my heart breaks for how he was treated when he dedicated his life for us.

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Matthew 26- Betraying Jesus

Betraying Jesus 

 Matthew 26:49 "Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him." commentary- Jesus knew Judas was going to betray. him. Judas (in verses 14-16) plotted to point out Jesus to the high priests for Jesus to be arrested. The high priests wanted Jesus gone due to all the "problems" he had been causing to the established governmental rule. Jesus did God's will and did not follow the Pharisees and Sadducees. They saw it as a split in leadership and the established leaders wanted the power back for themselves. The needed help from Judas and he says in verse 48 that the man he kisses is the one that is Jesus. But Jesus knew this was going to happen. He makes mention of this in verses 20-25 and then he again confirms it after the confirming kiss in verses 47-50.The bottom line, Judas did this out of greed. Hold that thought and I will connect the next section in the final paragraph.

In verses 34-35 Jesus predicts Peters betrayal as well. Peter tried to defend himself and says that he would die with Jesus and never disown him. But it comes true after Jesus is captured. Jesus said that Peter would deny Jesus three time before the rooster crowed. After Jesus was captured, others tried to see who else was connected to Jesus. Peter wanted to save himself. He could have been saving himself from embarrassment (people attacking his character and associations) or physically saving himself (they may have wanted to beat and kill him along with Jesus). Either way, Peter did not stay true to his word and Jesus knew it. The bottom line, Peter denied Jesus out of fear.

To wrap it up, we deny Jesus all the time. Yes. WE. We are associated with Christ and do not stand up for his name and his words when he is attacked. We are associated with him, but when people are antagonistic we refuse to defend Christ. We just let people attack him and who he is. We are far more likely to stand up against people who talk bad on our favorite sports teams. We wear jerseys from the teams we love or the colleges we attended and graduated from, we defend those to the death. Yet, we become mouse like in defense of Jesus. Just like Peter, we get scared to speak up and defend him and defend what you believe in. 

WE (yes WE) also allow other "things" to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus. Just like Judas, we sell out Jesus for money. Have you ever skipped church due to work? was it just one time? Is it often? Yes you need to make money to live, but just as man cannot live of bread and water alone, man also cannot live without getting fed spiritually. Just like Judas, we trade Jesus for things as if they are more important than the relationship that we have with him.