Staring Truth in the Face

We've all been in situations where we try to explain an idea, concept, etc... to someone and they JUST DON'T GET IT. But, in saying that...I'm sure we've all been on the opposite side of this equation as well. It's kind of like when people drive while talking on a cell phone...many are virtually oblivious to what's going on around them...they are so totally engrossed in the conversation that they pay little attention to the other cars on the road.

There are similarities to this example in John 18. It's where Jesus was arrested and the people were demanding that He be put to death. During the ordeal, Jesus and Pontius Pilate have a short conversation (as Pilate is trying to figure out exactly what it is that Jesus is being accused of)...

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews...
John 18:35-38

The part I want to place your attention on is verse 38, when Pilate asks..."What is truth?" The irony of this is that Pontius Pilate asks Jesus "what is truth?" as he is standing there staring Truth right in the face! Jesus Christ is the TRUTH.

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

It's clear that Pilate was oblivious to the "truth" that Jesus came to redeem the sins of the world...and most importantly that He was the Son of God.



Some people are oblivious to the truth, others just don't want to hear it, and some hear it, understand it, but choose to either ignore it or pick the parts that best fit in to their daily lives. Jesus Christ proclaimed the truth of God's Word in the first four books of the New Testament (which are called The Gospels) - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Never let the truth slip from your grasp. Study it...so that you never find yourself staring at the thorns instead of the rose.

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose”
-Kahili Gibran

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

"I require Heroism"

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the top service award bestowed upon those in the armed service of the United States of America. The Medal of Honor is given to those who have distinguished themselves through their gallantry in action, in which they went above and beyond the call of duty. In many cases the award is given posthumous after the recipient has passed, usually due to injuries sustained during the heroic act.

The Medal of Honor is a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, courage, and selflessness. It's when a person puts the the well being of others above his own self interests.

The cross is a symbol as well.

Because it was at THE CROSS that Jesus made His brave and selfless sacrifice. It was at the cross where God allowed and willed his only begotten Son to die for our sins.

It was the ultimate act of heroism and love.

Jesus' suffering and death on the cross was and still is the single most significant event in human history. I can think of nothing more brutal or more painful than what happened to our Lord on that day.

As Christians, we sometimes carry and even wear the symbol of Christ's love for us. It is the symbol of the cross. The cross is a direct reminder of God's immeasurable love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John3:16

Jesus' death on the cross was indeed an act of heroism. He knew what He was destined to do... He was destined to teach God's word to those around Him, heal and perform miracles for those lost or undecided about their faith, die on the cross, rise, bestow the apostles with the Holy Spirit... and thus change the world forever.

If we are to walk in the footsteps of Christ, I believe that we too need perform acts of heroism. It doesn't have to be something big, but it does need to be a personal sacrifice. For example, it could be something like getting up a half hour early each morning and praying.

It's the little acts of heroism that add up and it's the daily sacrifices that God silently requires us to make in order to thank Him for the gift of another day.

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

So think about it...

What will your next act of heroism be?

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

Jacob's Well

It was a typical blistering Saturday afternoon in the middle of August in Tempe, Arizona and Bobby was making his way down a rural stretch of road that was void of any buildings for over 50 miles. Bobby had decided to go out for a ride on his new Honda Motard motorcycle and was planning on enjoying a few hours of wind and road.

Fifteen minutes into the ride, Bobby noticed another biker parked on the side of the road. It looked like the guy was having some sort of trouble, so Bobby stopped and asked the guy if he needed any help.

After over an hour working on the Harley in the 115 degree heat, Bobby eventually helped the guy get his bike working well enough to ride. Bobby insisted that he'd follow the guy home (45 miles from the current location) to make sure he made it back without any difficulty.

Before the guy on the Harley turned down the street toward his house, he waved Bobby over and handed him his business card. Bobby pulled out his wallet and did the same. Each gave the other a silent wave and off they went in separate directions. Bobby never even considered the fact that he had gone out of his way. He was in the mindset that if a fellow biker needed help, then he would help. It was just an unwritten rule of the road.

* * *

What this story doesn't tell you is that the guy on the Harley was actually the CEO of the same company that Bobby worked for. It wasn't until Bobby got home and cleaned out his pockets that he read the business card. He nearly choked on his Coke when he read the title... "CEO".

After reading the business card, Bobby's shock must have closely resembled the Samaritan women who spoke with Jesus at Jacob's Well in John 4. Here Jesus tells her that He knows who she is, the number of husbands that she's had, and that He is the Christ. I can't help but try and picture the look that must have been on the woman's face when she heard those words. I'm sure you could have heard a pin drop.

The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

John 4:25-26

The point is that we never really know who we are going to meet throughout our journey in life. Many people that we meet, might only be placed in our lives for a short time. Others might be with us for many years. However, one thing is for certain...we will all see Christ one day and stand before Him to give account.

As you walk down this road in life, allow others see Christ in you so that you can see (and enjoy) the surprise on their face as you remain obedient to God and emulate the footsteps of Christ.

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

Beyond the goal

Tim was a very gifted athlete. He was a high school standout in baseball, football, and track. Tim had been offered over 10 different scholarships from various universities (in both baseball and football) and when it finally came time for him to decide which sport he wanted to play, he choose to go the baseball route.

While playing college baseball, Tim worked extremely hard each and every day to get stronger, faster, and more fundamentally sound in his game. During that time, he had dedicated his life to achieving one goal - get drafted to play in the Major Leagues.

After a successful collegiate career, Tim was drafted 15th overall in the Major League Baseball draft. Along with being picked so high, he also received a $3 million signing bonus and a 4 year contract worth $7 million a year ($28 million over 4 years).

But, a funny thing happened after Tim reached the Major Leagues...

He somehow lost his drive. He still loved the game, but somehow he fell into a comfort zone (or false sense of security) and stopped training as hard as he once had. Tim was living a very comfortable lifestyle and had it in his mind that he could retire after re-signing for another 4 years. Tim had it all planned out. He would play 8 years in the major leagues and retire at the age of 30. By then he would have enough money to take care of any "troubles" for the rest of his life. He could relax on the beach, go jet skiing, go fishing, surf...do just about anything he wanted to do.

However, during the 3rd year into Tim's contract he suffered a shoulder injury. The team trainer told him that he needed to work hard to rehabilitate his shoulder in order to avoid re-injury. Unfortunately, Tim was never able to fully rehab his shoulder and ended up getting released from the team prior to starting his 4th season.

Tim never played professional baseball again.

* * *

In the story above it's obvious that Tim had a singular goal in mind - to play professional baseball. He prepared himself physically, mentally, fundamentally, and worked day and night to reach his goal. However, what happened after he got there?

Tim fell into a comfortable state of mind where he was living the glamorous life of a professional athlete. He had money and popularity...and most importantly...he had achieved his goal. For him, that was satisfying enough. However, Tim also had a choice. He had a choice to either continue to work hard or slack off. He had a choice to possibly put himself in a position where he could play the sport for many more years to come. He had a choice to adhere to the same level of standards and rigor that he had practiced during his high school and collegiate career.

Many of of us are in a similar situation...we have a great passion and desire to get "drafted" into God's kingdom. But, just as the Major League draft, it doesn't matter if you're drafted 1st or 100th. It only matters that you are picked and given an opportunity. (or "chosen" as it relates to scripture)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

For professional athletes there is not a set of "black and white" criteria that must be met in order to play professionally. Professional athletes come in all shapes and sizes; however, one thing is certain - each had a desire to make it to the next level. We too, should live daily with a desire and passion to meet the criteria set out by God. Unlike professional sports, Christians have a criteria to adhere to. It's called The Word of God...the Bible, which tells us how we must to act. There is no question that it's the truth, because in many passages we hear things that directly go against modern culture...and for many people the commands are difficult to hear, (but not impossible to obey).

There are numerous citations written that prove that the bar is set really high to enter Heaven. The passage from Revelation 21 helps to re-emphasize this point very clearly...

Nothing impure will ever enter it (Heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:27

Let us never get too comfortable in our daily relationship with God, because Satan is always waiting for an opportunity to strike. If Tim's story tells us anything, its that we should never take our blessings for granted. So take some time and think about what you are going to do (next) once you reach a goal in your life...think about what you are going to do beyond the goal.

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

The Rhyme

I have never heard anything like this in my lifetime. I really enjoyed it and hope you will too!
(Thanks to EW for sharing this)




Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

God bless you. And this is for His Glory.