Timothy said, “Let’s learn about God!”
His eagerness set the group’s tone as we studied the Bible. Even with a set lesson, I encourage truth seeking questions. When Michael asked, “What is sin?” I was prepared. Then questions like Daniel’s: “How do you know God always existed?’ stretched me.
The discussion’s pinnacle came via a white board drawing. A simple line drawing depicting two steep cliffs which were separated by a deep gorge. I wrote “us” on one cliff and “God” on the opposite side with “sin” in the middle at the gorge’s bottom.
The Bible says: “The wages of sin is death.”---meaning spiritual death; separation from God. It also says, “All have sinned.”
The boys were catching on. Breaking God’s rules had created a chasm between God and themselves. This needs to be reconciled before life’s end, or it is forever in the pit.
I asked, “So how do you get across the mega sin pit?” Timothy answered: “Jump to
God . . . do a lot of good stuff.”
Here’s Timothy’s concept—though incorrect. Going to church, doing kind deeds, praying, giving money to charity and such are the muscle for the God-jump. At life’s conclusion we sprint full-tilt towards the sin-separating ravine. We vault ourselves frantically with all our good-works muscles towards God, believing that the gorge’s width is determined by our lifelong accumulation of bad works.
Timothy, the Bible says, “We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are filthy rags.” Good works never enable a successful jump to God. So-- do this. Follow God’s plan. Jump to Jesus. His sinless life and death on a cross to cancel our sin debt is the only bridge to God.
Our part? Repent of our sins. Accept Jesus’ sin payment. Make Jesus the Lord of our life. Live for God.
10/28/06
10/15/06
MANY PATHS
“Nancy, could we talk about spiritual matters?” I said. “I’m confused; maybe you could help me understand?”
Nancy is a lovely person, displaying the attributes of a wonderful human being. I have heard her praying. She plays blood-of-Jesus hymns; even singing along with her soft melodic voice.
But then I see her tarot cards, she tells me of her affinity to Buddhism, to the Islamic faith and she seems excited that an old friend, a former pastor, converted to Judaism.
I asked Nancy how she reconciles embracing all these faiths. She said: “For me, I believe there are many paths to the same destination.” Meaning heaven.
While all the faiths she mentioned have starkly different, conflicting beliefs; the Christian to Jewish flip-flop seemed especially bizarre. I mentioned scriptural truth from the Book of John: “So Pilate then handed Jesus over to them (Jewish religious leader) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His cross . . . they crucified Jesus.”
Then I said, “Nancy how could Jesus be God and Savior to Christians; and a criminal worthy of death on a cross to Jews? How could they both be on the path to the same heaven?”
The Bible talks about people who get drawn into deception: “Because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.” I am convinced that Nancy loves truth. Her own words revealed this: “Would you be interested in being involved in a Bible study?”
During our conversation, Nancy often said, “For me,” then added her opinion.
For me-- I study the Bible for my truth. Warning! Deception is lurking. It will block you from getting on or attempt to knock you off the true path.
For me, for you—love truth. Love the Bible.
Nancy is a lovely person, displaying the attributes of a wonderful human being. I have heard her praying. She plays blood-of-Jesus hymns; even singing along with her soft melodic voice.
But then I see her tarot cards, she tells me of her affinity to Buddhism, to the Islamic faith and she seems excited that an old friend, a former pastor, converted to Judaism.
I asked Nancy how she reconciles embracing all these faiths. She said: “For me, I believe there are many paths to the same destination.” Meaning heaven.
While all the faiths she mentioned have starkly different, conflicting beliefs; the Christian to Jewish flip-flop seemed especially bizarre. I mentioned scriptural truth from the Book of John: “So Pilate then handed Jesus over to them (Jewish religious leader) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His cross . . . they crucified Jesus.”
Then I said, “Nancy how could Jesus be God and Savior to Christians; and a criminal worthy of death on a cross to Jews? How could they both be on the path to the same heaven?”
The Bible talks about people who get drawn into deception: “Because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.” I am convinced that Nancy loves truth. Her own words revealed this: “Would you be interested in being involved in a Bible study?”
During our conversation, Nancy often said, “For me,” then added her opinion.
For me-- I study the Bible for my truth. Warning! Deception is lurking. It will block you from getting on or attempt to knock you off the true path.
For me, for you—love truth. Love the Bible.
10/7/06
IS THIS PERSON GOD'S MIRACLE?
When the door opened to her compact, abundantly stocked store, Annie warmly welcomed her customer, thinking: “Is this person God’s miracle?” Annie needed a miracle. The store was nearly moneyless with the rent due in a couple days.
Her store, more correctly, as she says, “This is God’s store,” is unique because anyone can walk in, no questions asked, and shop free for clothes, books, toys, small household items, etc.
Annie’s only fund raising effort is the red looks-like-a-child’s-tackle-box attached to the countertop. A note taped near a slot cut into the top says, in English and Spanish: “Donations are used for the rent and utilities.”
No asking, pleading, mailings during the store are seven years. She doesn’t even ask for the hundreds of thousands of items which have been donated to give away. Well actually Annie does fund raising: “I pray to God.”
This month, for the first time, the situation was pressing. Some days the little box contained a few pennies. Other days-- zero.
Annie prayed and with joyful anticipation her faith held firm. And with all her heart, she believed the words of Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”
Thursday night Annie put the closed sign up. One more day for the store and then the rent would be due. It had been a lean day for donations. Then Annie heard a rap on the door. It was Pastor Jerry from a church two blocks away. He had never been to the store.
Apologizing for his late arrival he handed Annie an envelope and left quickly. Alone again, Annie opened the envelope.
Near tears, Annie held a check for $1000.
She had sought the Kingdom first. God provided—a miracle.
Her store, more correctly, as she says, “This is God’s store,” is unique because anyone can walk in, no questions asked, and shop free for clothes, books, toys, small household items, etc.
Annie’s only fund raising effort is the red looks-like-a-child’s-tackle-box attached to the countertop. A note taped near a slot cut into the top says, in English and Spanish: “Donations are used for the rent and utilities.”
No asking, pleading, mailings during the store are seven years. She doesn’t even ask for the hundreds of thousands of items which have been donated to give away. Well actually Annie does fund raising: “I pray to God.”
This month, for the first time, the situation was pressing. Some days the little box contained a few pennies. Other days-- zero.
Annie prayed and with joyful anticipation her faith held firm. And with all her heart, she believed the words of Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”
Thursday night Annie put the closed sign up. One more day for the store and then the rent would be due. It had been a lean day for donations. Then Annie heard a rap on the door. It was Pastor Jerry from a church two blocks away. He had never been to the store.
Apologizing for his late arrival he handed Annie an envelope and left quickly. Alone again, Annie opened the envelope.
Near tears, Annie held a check for $1000.
She had sought the Kingdom first. God provided—a miracle.
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