"Does Jesus Care?"

"And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand....And He said to the man.., 'Step forward.'"  (Mark 3:1)

The man in the "church meeting" had an infirmity, one lonely person in the midst of many; then: "Step forward." 

I have been noticing this time through the Gospels the particular love, care, compassion and service of Jesus to individuals.  Indeed, this is, "Immanuel, God with us," really, "....with us."  The day of the week does not affect this; the surroundings do not affect this, neither does acceptance or rejection by family, friends, coworkers.  Can you hear our Lord Jesus saying to you t0day in your sickness, pain, loneliness, despair, "Step forward"?!?

Jesus never turned away anyone.  Jesus' response to the man who said to Him, "Lord, if you are willing," was/is, "I am willing."  From the call of two brothers, to Nathaniel, to blind Bartimaeus, to Zacchaeus, the widow of Nain, the lame man let down through the roof, Nicodemus, The Living Triune God walking the earth as, "the carpenter's son," was the greatest example of pastor, fellow churchman, lover of humanity.  Jesus was always saying then, as He continues to say to us all today, "Step forward."

What does this say to you and me today?  Don't ever wonder if Jesus is "listening" to you, hearing you, has time for you, is interceding for you.  Of all the "reasons" people do not pray, walk with/in Jesus in sweet communion, perhaps one of the worst is, "He doesn't care about me and my situation."  That is a proverbial lie from Hell.

The old hymn speaks truth, when it asks, "Does Jesus Care?"

    "Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

    Too deeply for mirth or song,   

    As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

    And the way grows weary and long?

    Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

    His Heart is touched with my grief;

    When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

    I know my Savior cares."

Father, in Jesus' Name, to my own hurt, there have been times when I did not, "Step forward."  Today I choose to.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

From "Useless" to Follower of Jesus

"....To Philemon...and to the church that meets in your home....I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me."  (Philemon, NIV)

Onesimus was a run-away slave.  Now I'm not going to discuss slavery, or ethics, or all the whatevers.  What did occurred to me today is that I was a runaway slave, in chains, useless when Jesus took me in--- Glorious reception for an unworthy slave.

Paul led Onesimus to Jesus, apparently while they were both in prison, maybe sort of like the old phrase, "one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."  Onesimus, apparently wanting to be "free," fled from Philemon's estate, got caught, and ended up in jail------ with Paul, "in chains.., useless...."  Caution to humanity:  Beware what you run from and run to.  What humanist call "freedom" is nothing but disguised slavery.

Ah, then enters the New Life in Jesus Christ, "....but now he has become useful both to you and me."  What a picture of the Believer in Jesus.  We were run-aways, "in chains.., useless.., but now," in Jesus Christ we are valued Followers, valued Children of the Living Triune God.  We are as Ephesians 2 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for taking in this useless slave.  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A Short Summation of the Gospel

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  (Titus:11-14)

The United States of America and the nations of the world continue to descend deeper and deeper into, "ungodliness and worldly passions."  The word translated, "ungodliness," means, "lacking respect, showing itself in bold irreverence."  Indeed, "worldly passions," rule. 

Yet, for the repentant, those who long for a "better way," we still have the Good News of Jesus Christ.  "....The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."  Peter told the Roman soldier that, "God is no respecter of persons."  In other words, No one who comes to Jesus is left out, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me."

Then we also read in our text the "aspect" of the Gospel Message which far too many leave out, or choose to leave out.  Jesus shed His Most Precious Blood for the forgiveness of our sin, to bring us into His Kingdom, and, "to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."  We all know the folly, disappointment, and pain of living any other way.  Jesus, "....redeem[ed] us from all wickedness," because that, "wickedness," was destroying us.  We were among those, as Ephesians 2 tells us, "....having no hope and without God in the world." 

Now, however, you and I have hope, and are with God, "in the world."  And, as the world moves closer and closer to Armageddon, you and I are called in today's text to live in obedience to Jesus, "while we wait for the blessed hope-- the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I will live, "upright and godly lives..., while we wait for," Your Second Appearing.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....As The Lord Speaks To Me"

"And he said to them, 'Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.'  So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam."  (Numbers 22:8)

Apparently Balaam went to his "prayer closet," and received a response from the Lord God.  He kept going back, however, for "clarification."  It is a very dangerous way to live.  When the Lord Jesus Christ speaks to our hearts, I know it is a popular response to get "confirmation."  But beware of how many "confirmations" you need.  There can be much said for, "Obey right away." 

Our text is from the section of Scripture in Numbers 22-24.  I trust you are familiar with it.  It is a revealing story of how people can speak "righteous" words, yet be unrighteous.  One of the things which I have always noted about Balaam is that he just wouldn't see what Balak was after.  Beware of always wanting to "pray about it more."  It can be an indication that one just does not want to obey what Jesus is saying.

The phrase, "Don't take my word for it," can have a solemn warning for us.  All prophecy should be "tested," as well as, "try the spirits."  I personally know of people whose lives were shattered, the purpose of Jesus Christ for their lives thwarted, because they took just one person's "word" on a matter.  No one is that "spiritual."  Dependence on/in the Holy Spirit that, "He will teach you all things," is imperative.

But this does not exclude others who are committed to Jesus Christ.  This is why "church membership" is never an option.  The moment you and I surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ we became, "members of His Body."  Now I don't know what your association is with a local church, but I can tell you that anyone who is not in fellowship with some others, "who follow the Lamb wherever He goes," are out of the will of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, "I will build My Church."  History reveals that those most in danger of "missing God," or as Paul told Timothy, "turn aside to myths", are the "lone rangers."

It is never a mistake to ask other Followers of Jesus, "The Lord spoke to my heart_______.  What do you think?

Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver me and Your Church from the spirit of Balaam.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2