Beware of the Ditch

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:39 KJV)

O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

There's a Father up above

And He's looking down in love

So, be careful little eyes what you see

Do you remember the children's song that reminds us to be careful about what we see, what we hear, what we say, what we do, where we go?" 

When young people use the excuse "everyone does it" for doing what they should not do, they are often asked if they'd jump off a cliff if everyone else did it. Of course, most would not. We do have to be cautious regarding who it is we are following. We must ask ourselves if the path we are following end in a ditch or at the bottom of a cliff; where we will find ourselves destitute. Or, will the path we are following lead us to a place in the eternal presence of God where we will definitely know peace?  

There are times when we must see or hear things; times when we must go to places that can be quite dangerous in order to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God. But, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of following those who would lead us away from the path that the Lord has shown us. The Lord has a good plan for us. When we choose to follow in the ways of those who are heading for the ditch we are going to end up in the ditch with them. 

There is always the hope that through us the Lord might speak to those who are heading for a ditch and they just might turn around and follow Jesus. There is always that hope. We should always pray that would be the result. But, we must be careful that we do not end up following in the ways of others that would lead us astray.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Good Soil + Good Seed = Good Fruit

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

                                                                        (Matt 13:3-9 KJV)

So many times I have been told by people that they just do not understand the scriptures when they are read to them during worship or even when they read them themselves. They do claim to understand what the preacher says in his or her sermons; but, not the word of God. At times like that I cannot help but wonder what the preacher is saying. Is the preacher really proclaiming the word of God or speaking to please the itching ears? Could it possibly be that the itching ears will hear only what they want to hear?

Good soil is soil that will receive a good seed helping the good seed to be fruitful.  The good soil is our hearts and minds. The good seed is the word of God. When the word of God is planted in an open heart and mind; the word which is planted will bring forth much fruit for the Kingdom of God. 

Alas, when the word of God is planted in a stony heart or mind, it just may catch hold for awhile but will soon wither away bearing no fruit for the Kingdom of God.

May God our Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit open that hearts, minds, eyes and ears of us all that we might have a greater understanding of all that our Lord Jesus, who is the Word, loves us and has done for us so that we in turn might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Every Eye Shall See

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

                                                                                                      (Rev 4:7-8 KJV)

Every eye will see him. I was told by someone that I care about that they do not believe like I do. I was told, "When you're dead you're dead. There is nothing more." It is heartbreaking to hear someone that has been taught the truth; deny Jesus the Christ.

He is "the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (vs 8 NIV) It does not matter whether one believes or not. Denial does not make him less or non-existent. The day will come when every eye will see him; every knee will bow before him; even those who pierced him; even those who denied him.

Be careful with your words. Do not deny the one who died for you. Jesus said, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 10:33 KJV)

He is, he was, and he yet will come again. He is the Almighty God who created you and who would save you from yourself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do You Want To See Jesus?

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus!

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  (Luke 19:2-6 KJV)

In the morning, when I rise give me Jesus. The words to that song have been running through my head a lot lately. It may be because I have been rising early and sitting on the deck watching the sunrise. The beauty of the sunrise reminds how beautiful and glorious is our Lord. 

Zacchaeus "sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." Zacchaeus was of little stature not only in physical height; but, in social stature as well. He was a tax collector and had made himself wealthy by cheating his own people. Therefore, he was not a popular fellow. No one in the crowd that day was going to move out of his way so that he could see Jesus so he climbed a tree to get a look from a distance. Jesus knew of his desire to see him and so he arranged to make it up front and personal. He told Zacchaeus: "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." 

Do you want to see Jesus? If you want to see Jesus, just climb down from whatever perch that you've chosen to watch Jesus from afar and welcome Him into your life. Let him in! Today, (and every day) Jesus wants to be welcomed into your home, into your life. 

In the Revelation of John, we hear Jesus' invitation to us: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

Open the door and let him in... He is there for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J