Born Again

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him""-John 3:1-2 (NIV).

The faith of Jesus' followers, after His Crucifixion, is evidence that Jesus was who He said He was..and is. Men, even good men, would weaken in their fervor over time at the thought of death from espousing a lie. Jesus' disciples never wavered; in fact, they became more outspoken after Jesus' death and resurrection. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, had a lot to lose, in regards to position and prestige, in believing who Jesus was and he did believe. He and Joseph of Arimathea, another secret disciple, together, at the risk of being put out of the synagogue, asked for and buried the body of Jesus (John 19:38-39). Their actions, considering the possible life altering consequences, confirms their belief that Jesus was who He claimed to be. These two men, along with others, such as a radical persecutor of Christians named Saul, joined ranks with other believers who came to faith in Jesus and, indeed, their lives were altered; they were born again. 

Class in Session

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope"- Romans 15:4 (NIV).

George Santayana said, "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." The Bible is the written record of God's plan for us and it's full of mistakes people made along the way. Why would anyone want to repeat what wasn't right in God's eyes? You can't know unless you read, study and apply the living Word of God.. Joshua says, "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful" (Joshua 1:8). The Teacher calls us to learn His ways. Pick up the Book and become His student. There will be a grade when the course ends.

Work In Progress

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him"- James 1:12 (NIV).

James had just stated we should count it a blessing to undergo trials, that it makes us stronger, tempers us into the person God intends us to be (V 2-4). Have you ever watched a blacksmith work with iron? He repeatedly fires the metal to red hot, then beats it into shape on an anvil. Then he shoves it into cool water. After an inspection for flaws or further shaping, he begins the process all over and back into the fire the metal goes. Do you feel your circumstances have a firm grip on you, thrusting you into a fiery pit, followed by another beating? It's hard to believe this as a blessing, but this test will produce in you a person you can't imagine. You're a work in progress. Only the Blacksmith, our Father, can see the finished product. God has promised to finish the job He began: You. And He has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

Glory in Suffering

"Not only so, be we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope"- Romans 5:3-4 (NIV).

Suffering is an opportunity to bring glory to God and isn't glorifying God what we want to do, created to do? Esther was beautiful and she was chosen out of many to become queen. God had blessed her beyond her wildest dreams. Yes, her blessings gave God glory, but what is she most remembered for, that glorified God? It appeared that God had removed His favor when devious Haman brought about the possible extermination of every Jew in the kingdom, which would include Queen Esther and her family, for she was a Jew. Her uncle, Mordecai, gave her the reason why she must act, though there was danger: "Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14b)? Esther acted on faith, regardless of the possible outcome, Haman met his end and God was glorified. Are you suffering? Glory in your suffering. Your suffering may be for such as time as this; a time that God will be glorified in a mighty way.

Time Well Spent

"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is"- Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV).

We all have the same amount of time in each day; the same amount of time as Albert Einstein had, the same amount of time as Mother Teresa had. They didn't get any second longer in their day than we do and look at the accomplishments in they made in their life time. This should make us pause to consider how we use our time. Like the money the landlord left his three servants in the Bible. They each invested the money differently and the one servant who didn't invest wisely, at all, the landlord took it away from him and gave it to the one who had the most (Matthew 25:14-30).. Isn't time just as as valuable as money? God expects us to wisely invest the time He has given each of us. Most people on their deathbeds don't lament the misuse of money as they do the misuse of their time. There was a line from the movie "A Christmas Carol:" Ebenezer Scrooge told his deceased partner's ghost, Bob Marley, that Marley had a good head for business while he had been alive. Marley shouted at Ebenezer, "Mankind should have been my business." Do a quick inventory of your time. Do you make the most of every opportunity?