JESUS ASKED THE QUESTION

Luk 18:41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!"

Psa 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.

John, while in prison, sent a message to Jesus asking Him if He were the true Messiah, or, were they to expect someone else? [Mat 11:3]

Jesus responded with these words found in Matthew 11:5; "the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

Before our belief in Jesus, in His sacrifice on the cross, and receiving His salvation, we were all blind, deaf, and terminally diseased, carrying with us a sentence of eternal death. When we confessed with our mouth that Jesus was LORD, and we believed deeply in our hearts that the Mighty hand of GOD raised Him from the dead, We were healed to eternal life and cleansed from our wretched sin. [Rom 10-9]

Luk 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Joh 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

It is this Helper, the Holy Spirit who then dwells inside you, comforts you from within, teaching, guiding, and opening wide your very soul and mind to the beauty and majesty of Gods Word. Suddenly, you begin to understand. To grasp that which was previously foreign to you ears and eyes. The Holy Spirit is your full time Counselor, Confidant and friend.

Jas 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Paul sums it up nicely in his Epistle to the Ephesians;

Eph 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.

You have eyes to see and ears to hear, and this begs the question...

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

JESUS ASKED THE QUESTION

Luk 18:41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!"

Psa 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.

John, while in prison, sent a message to Jesus asking Him if He were the true Messiah, or, were they to expect someone else? [Mat 11:3]

Jesus responded with these words found in Matthew 11:5; "the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

Before our belief in Jesus, in His sacrifice on the cross, and receiving His salvation, we were all blind, deaf, and terminally diseased, carrying with us a sentence of eternal death. When we confessed with our mouth that Jesus was LORD, and we believed deeply in our hearts that the Mighty hand of GOD raised Him from the dead, We were healed to eternal life and cleansed from our wretched sin. [Rom 10-9]

Luk 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Joh 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

It is this Helper, the Holy Spirit who then dwells inside you, comforts you from within, teaching, guiding, and opening wide your very soul and mind to the beauty and majesty of Gods Word. Suddenly, you begin to understand. To grasp that which was previously foreign to you ears and eyes. The Holy Spirit is your full time Counselor, Confidant and friend.

Jas 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Paul sums it up nicely in his Epistle to the Ephesians;

Eph 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (18) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.

You have eyes to see and ears to hear, and this begs the question...

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

BECOMING LIKE CHILDREN

When the Lord repeats Himself on a specific topic, and does so multiple times, the reader needs to pay close attention to what is being said. Such is the instruction from Jesus in Matthew Chapter 18:

(Mat 18:2-4) And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

This directive is repeated twice more in Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17. Three times, Jesus says that we must “become like children” if we are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What precisely are we to do in order that we “become like children”?

My wife, some friends and a few close family members have often accused me of being a child. “You're such a child”, one of them once said to me. Well GOSH! If I am not like a child, I won't get into heaven!! Brother,.....( I said to myself )..... I don't think that is what our Lord means.

Young children are not programmed with all the CAN'TS, DON'TS and IMPOSSIBLES that hamper the faith of adults. Through the eyes of a child, everything is possible. Nothing is impossible. The way our Father likes it!

(Luk 1:37) "For nothing will be impossible with God."

There is a helpless, simple, trusting attitude that God finds so endearing in His children. It is through those who foster that “Child Like” faith that the Holy Spirit does some of His best work. He wants us to rely on Him, not on ourselves.

Children are also extremely humble. They don't know what they don't know and readily accept that which they cannot see, feel, taste, or hear. If they can think it, it can become real in the youthful mind. We old-timers really have to work hard to develop that beautiful child-like faith in acceptance of God's grace.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John & Paul all saw Jesus in the flesh. They lived with Him and touched Him and still had faith issues. The children, however, readily accepted Jesus, and believed fully from the start. That is the part that “Big People” need to relearn. Revisit your childhood again. Be youthful in your thoughts. Believe with all your heart. Know that He is with you in all you do. When you believe in JESUS, YOU become, a CHILD of God!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE SIXTH DAY

Gen 1:26-31 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

The majesty and elegance of God's miracles are all around us. Our very lives bear witness to HIS power, mercy, and grace. We, and every creature with the breath of life is a miracle. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. [ 1Co 15:39 ] Their creation, birth, life on earth, death and existence is a miracle. One that cannot be invented, duplicated, or created by man. How many miracles have you witnessed this week? If you look, you will see.

When we take the time and put in the effort to read our Bibles, a real and powerful dialog begins to take place between you and your Maker. Holy Scripture is the Lord's favorite way of communicating with us.

When you study your Bible, you are actually studying the personal personality of God. HIS words come alive. They reveal a most wonderful Creator. The more you know, the more you want to know.

Here are two miracles that you can witness most every day. The SUNRISE and the SUNSET. Since the sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:26-31), not one SUNRISE nor SUNSET has ever been identical. Ever! Each stand alone and is different from all others and can never be repeated. They are God's daily gift to us.

As our Father opens the day with brilliant colors, vibrant clouds, golden light, He refreshes us through the spiritual promise of today. Today is all we have. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is never promised to anyone. Only today. This is SUNRISE.

In the evening, we again may feast our eyes on the celestial artwork of the Master as He brings our day to a close and we retire to recharge for what we pray will be tomorrow. The gift of SUNSET. HIS gift of daily rest.

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE SIXTH DAY

Gen 1:26-31 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

The majesty and elegance of God's miracles are all around us. Our very lives bear witness to HIS power, mercy, and grace. We, and every creature with the breath of life is a miracle. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. [ 1Co 15:39 ] Their creation, birth, life on earth, death and existence is a miracle. One that cannot be invented, duplicated, or created by man. How many miracles have you witnessed this week? If you look, you will see.

When we take the time and put in the effort to read our Bibles, a real and powerful dialog begins to take place between you and your Maker. Holy Scripture is the Lord's favorite way of communicating with us.

When you study your Bible, you are actually studying the personal personality of God. HIS words come alive. They reveal a most wonderful Creator. The more you know, the more you want to know.

Here are two miracles that you can witness most every day. The SUNRISE and the SUNSET. Since the sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:26-31), not one SUNRISE nor SUNSET has ever been identical. Ever! Each stand alone and is different from all others and can never be repeated. They are God's daily gift to us.

As our Father opens the day with brilliant colors, vibrant clouds, golden light, He refreshes us through the spiritual promise of today. Today is all we have. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is never promised to anyone. Only today. This is SUNRISE.

In the evening, we again may feast our eyes on the celestial artwork of the Master as He brings our day to a close and we retire to recharge for what we pray will be tomorrow. The gift of SUNSET. HIS gift of daily rest.

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS

It would seem that throughout this great world there has appeared an attitude or an impression that all the heavy lifting in a congregation rightfully rests squarely on the shoulders of the pastor. Some might title this error in thinking the "THAT AIN'T MY JOB" attitude.

This position is much more prevalent than you might think. Sometimes it creeps in quietly, not making a sound, barely noticed by the congregation. Then the church puts out a call for help in support ministries, the

"THAT AIN'T MY JOB" folks scatter like a bunch of roaches when the kitchen light is switched on. Pastors contend with this issue daily. Solutions are few and pastors frequently become over burdened trying to carry the additional load.

I overheard a fellow a few years back comment on how easy the pastor's job was by his reckoning; "Sunday he comes in, talks and reads from the pulpit for what seems like forever, talks again Sunday night and except for Wednesday nights, we don't see him. I'd like a job like that!".

Perhaps that fellow would change his tune if he could be a mouse in the corner and be witness to the pastor's hospital and home illness prayer vigils. Or, the several funerals he conducts that includes helping the widow or widower and family come to grips with the pain of death and grief, all while tenderly helping to make the arrangements. How about those counseling sessions that seem to come from every direction; divorce, marriage, out of control sin, gossip, pew romances, oh my, the list could go on and on.

When you see the load that the pastor manages, you will see clearly how some burn out early, or fall into poor decisions that commonly overtake even the strongest humans. Satan rolls out the big guns on these humble servants.

Your pastor needs your support. Your church needs your support. Your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ need your support. Its not just a nice thing to do, my friend. It is your Biblical Obligation. Here is a place to start:

Make this Psalm a part of your weekly commitment. Read it. Share it. Pray with it for the sake and benefit of your pastor. Look at the wisdom that God imparted to King David in the aftermath of the King's very poor decision: PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR

Psa 51:1-13 A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him,after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS

It would seem that throughout this great world there has appeared an attitude or an impression that all the heavy lifting in a congregation rightfully rests squarely on the shoulders of the pastor. Some might title this error in thinking the "THAT AIN'T MY JOB" attitude.

This position is much more prevalent than you might think. Sometimes it creeps in quietly, not making a sound, barely noticed by the congregation. Then the church puts out a call for help in support ministries, the

"THAT AIN'T MY JOB" folks scatter like a bunch of roaches when the kitchen light is switched on. Pastors contend with this issue daily. Solutions are few and pastors frequently become over burdened trying to carry the additional load.

I overheard a fellow a few years back comment on how easy the pastor's job was by his reckoning; "Sunday he comes in, talks and reads from the pulpit for what seems like forever, talks again Sunday night and except for Wednesday nights, we don't see him. I'd like a job like that!".

Perhaps that fellow would change his tune if he could be a mouse in the corner and be witness to the pastor's hospital and home illness prayer vigils. Or, the several funerals he conducts that includes helping the widow or widower and family come to grips with the pain of death and grief, all while tenderly helping to make the arrangements. How about those counseling sessions that seem to come from every direction; divorce, marriage, out of control sin, gossip, pew romances, oh my, the list could go on and on.

When you see the load that the pastor manages, you will see clearly how some burn out early, or fall into poor decisions that commonly overtake even the strongest humans. Satan rolls out the big guns on these humble servants.

Your pastor needs your support. Your church needs your support. Your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ need your support. Its not just a nice thing to do, my friend. It is your Biblical Obligation. Here is a place to start:

Make this Psalm a part of your weekly commitment. Read it. Share it. Pray with it for the sake and benefit of your pastor. Look at the wisdom that God imparted to King David in the aftermath of the King's very poor decision: PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR

Psa 51:1-13 A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him,after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?