The First Disciples

The first disciples

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  
At once they left their nets and followed him. 
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” 
                                      Matthew 4:18-22
Jesus here calls his first disciples. It should be noted here that they were Jewish men and thus believers in the one true God. Jesus was not calling non-believers to be part of his ministry.
Today Jesus does the same thing to those who truly believe in him.
Our churches are filled with believers. Men and women who have given their lives over to Jesus. People who worship God in spirit and in truth.
But I wonder how many of them would when called by God to do His work, do as Peter, Andrew, James and John did?
How many people who profess to be true followers of Christ would simply lay down their nets so to speak and go into full time ministry?
There’s an older couple at our church who to me exemplify what we should be willing to do.
In their youth Gerry and Virginia felt called to be missionaries in Mexico. They left the comforts of Canada to minister down there.
To support themselves in Mexico they even had to take on jobs in Mexico. Yet they ministered faithfully for years.
God blessed them as a result and many souls were won for Christ.
I believe Christ calls us all to minister in whatever way we can, be that simply witnessing to those next door, our family and friends or on mission fields around the world. Even on the internet.
There are always places we can minister for our Lord. All we have to do is pray about it. Asking God to direct our paths. Then get off our knees and do what God wants us to do.
Remembering always that God will not ask you to do what you are not capable of doing.
Are you dear Christian willing to do your best for God.
To the none-believer I would ask this.
Why would men like Peter, Andrew, and James, men that were earning a good living give it all up and follow Jesus?
Not only did that happen but they stayed true to him after his death.
They witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and his ascension to heaven proclaiming  it to the world around them.
These men were extremely foolish because to say someone rose from the dead is if you think about it counter productive to the cause you are presenting. Or they were completely truthful.
There is no middle ground.
What do you think.
Think about it.

Jesus begins his ministry

Jesus begins his ministry

“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.  
Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—  to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:12-17

John the Baptist has just been put in prison. So Jesus leaves Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum where he would eventually use the house of Peter as his base.
The area referred to as Zabulun ans Naphtali in the time of Jesus was seen to be an area in spiritual darkness.
The reason seems to have been because of the large number of gentiles that lived there. Although some say it was also because of the distance from Jerusalem.
The distance being so far away that the religious influence of Jerusalem had little effect.
Matthew points out that Jesus in moving into this area also fulfilled a prophesy from Isaiah who states,
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan— 
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
                                          Isaiah 9:1,2.
Here we also see a prophesy about the Messiah that point to Him reaching out to the gentiles. Taking Gods light to non Jews.
Matthew here also points out that the message of Jesus is also the message John was preaching on of repentance.
This is a key theme of the Bible. The need of the individual to repent for their sins.
The Bible makes it clear when Paul writes to the Romans,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  
                                                                           Romans 3:23.
The apostle John goes on to say,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 
                                                             1John 1:9.
John in his gospel also quotes Jesus as saying,
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 
“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.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
              John 3:14-18.
In Jesus we have a clear cut decision to make. To follow him and have eternal life or to reject him and perish.
Jesus leaves that decision up to you.
Where do you stand?

Jesus is Tempted

Jesus is Tempted.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’” 
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’’” 
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’” 
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’” 
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” 
                                                            Matthew 4:1-11
The temptations of Jesus were very real not just symbolic. And we must remember that while Jesus was God. While on earth he functioned as nothing less than man. Thus he went through the temptations as a man and he triumphed over them.
His first temptation was to use his supernatural power for himself. Jesus was not willing to do so. Nor would he use his power to win the masses over as if by a type of witch craft.
When Jesus used his power it was to help the individual. It proved he was from God but it left the decision about who he was still in the hands of those who seen what he did.
The second temptation is about showing how God would protect Jesus if he threw himself off a heigh point. Satan tell him that God would send his angels to catch him. Thus very publicly showing people his supernatural link with God.
Jesus refused quoting scripture “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Jesus was not going to win people by showing the people this supernatural connection with God.
Those who come to Christ. Those who come to God must come in faith. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 
                            Hebrews 11:6
The third temptation was to bow down and worship Satan. Jesus had no inclination to compromise with Satan. He rebukes him again by quoting scripture,
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’” 
Jesus refused to Sin no matter what the circumstance. Thus after the third temptation Satan left him and Jesus would begin his ministry.

The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  
But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 
                                                                                               Matthew 3:13-17

This is a seminal moment in the life of Jesus. It is the start of his Messianic ministry.
The baptism showed that he was consecrated to God something that was underscored by the decent of the Holy Spirit and a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Through baptism Jesus identifies with mankind and although Jesus did not have any need of repentance. He identifies with mankind’s sin and failure and becomes the substitute for our sins.
Dear reader have you let Jesus into your life? Have you confessed your sins to him and let him forgive your sins?
Think about it.

John the Baptist Preaches Repentance

John the Baptist preaches Repentance

"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea  
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.  
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  
 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  
The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 
                                                                          Matthew 3:1-12
Here we have John the Baptist the for runner of Jesus.
He must have looked quite the eccentric if you think about it to quote Matthew “John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.”
Here was this man boldly calling people to repentance. To truly turn their lives around.
John minces no words no matter who was there calling to the scribes and Pharisees to repent. Matthew noting,
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
John was what we would call a fundamentalist. He saw the corruption in the teachers of the law and he called them out on it. He called them to turn away from wrong teaching and turn back to God in true repentance and produce good fruit.
John also tells of the coming of Christ. Matthew quoting John as saying,
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John’s call is as relevant today as it was back then.
The call of Jesus is to bring all to repentance to turn from sin and to Christ. Who will forgive our sin and allow us to enter heaven.
The apostle John writing,
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 
                       1John 1:8,9.
We like the people in the time of John the Baptist have a choice. To confess our sins and as John the Baptist said, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Think about it.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

The family returns to Nazareth

“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt  
and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.  
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,  and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” 
                            Matthew 2:19-23
Joseph in his wisdom chose to move back to Israel but away from any potential trouble.
Archelaus the son of Herod was in power and was exceptionally tyrannical so much so he was deposed after only ten years (4BC-6AD) and Judea became a Roman province ruled by governors appointed by the emperor.
Thus the family settled in Nazareth a small nondescript town where Jesus could grow in peace.
I believe Jesus needed that time of peace in his life to mature. To study the scriptures which I’m sure he did as Mary and Joseph were devout people.
Additionally in other gospels we know that Jesus as a teenager was found in the temple talking to the teaches of his day and they were amazed at his knowledge Luke 2:44-47.
In Luke there is an interesting note. When his parents found Jesus he said,
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  
But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.  
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”
                                                                                             Luke 2:49-52.
After all his parents had gone through they still didn’t fully understand who he was. It would me much later that they would fully understand.
Also of note is that while Jesus understood his calling he chose to be obedient to his earthly parents.
And Luke tells us “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”.
Nazareth this tiny village was where Jesus grew into the great man he would become. Going forth to quite literally change the world.

The Visit of the Magi

The visit of the Magi

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’’” 
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
Matthew 2:1-12
Who exactly the Magi were is unsure. Most experts say they were astrologers not kings.
While tradition says there were three. The exact number is unknown. We only know that they brought three gifts of gold incense and myrrh.
Gifts when you think of it in a practical sense may have helped Mary and Joseph when they had to run to Egypt.
The Magi came to visit Jesus and said to Herod, ““Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” Not “who is to become king of the Jews”.
The Magi were very clear, Jesus was born king of the Jews.
Herod the great to distinguish him from other Herod’s at the time, was a ruthless dictator appointed by the Roman senate.
He killed his wife, his three sons his mother in law his uncle and many others. He killed anyone whom he thought might depose him.
Hearing of the birth of Jesus as a king of the Jews would most definitely have twisted him the wrong way. He would have wanted to take the life of Jesus.
Thus he was nice to the Magi asking them that when they found Jesus to return and tell him.
But again God intervenes warning them in a dream not to go back to Herod. Thus they returned another way.
Herod immediately ordered the deaths of all children under two in the Bethlehem area.
Now while this was horrendous because of the small population of the area not all that many children would have been killed.
Still Herod I’m certain would stand before God like any despot and pay for what he did.
As for Mary, Joseph and Jesus they were warned about what was to happen Matthew recording,
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,  
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  
Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 
“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 
                                                                        Matthew 2:13-18 
Without knowing it Herod had helped fulfil on of the prophesies from the old Testament.
“This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.” 
                                           Jeremiah 31:15.
Matthew also quotes another Prophet, Hosea when he says,
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” 
      Hosea 11:1.
The quote originally about the calling of Israel out of Egypt is used here to show Jesus as an infant went into Egypt like the infant nation Israel only to be called out of Egypt to become great in the eyes of God.
How long exactly Jesus and his family were in Egypt is unknown all is known was that he was there until the death of Herod the great.
And here’s an interesting side note. Someone once pointed out to me that with being forced to flee to Egypt Jesus and his family became political refugees.
On earth Jesus experienced what it was like to be a man. Becoming a political refugee was one of them.

The Lineage of Jesus

The Lineage of Jesus
Read Matthew 1-17
“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: 
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.” 
                                                                                                        Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew’s gospel is written in Greek. But it uses for the most part Jewish terminology which he doesn’t explain. This indicates that it is written to Jews.
He uses terms like “Son of David” to describe Jesus. He traces the linage of Jesus back to Abraham.
This however does not restrict the readership to the Jews. He mentions the arrival of the Magi and that the great commission is to the whole world not just to the Jews.
Matthews purpose in writing seems to be to prove to the Jewish reader that Jesus is their Messiah.
He uses nine proof texts (1:22–23; 2:15; 2:17–18; 2:23; 4:14–16; 8:17; 12:17–21; 13:35; 27:9–10) to prove this basic theme.
Matthew notes that Jesus is the fulfilment of Old Testament Prophesy. Additionally he points to the linage of Jesus going back to King David.
The book of Matthew was written it is believe by Matthew the disciple of Jesus around 50AD.
Thus Matthew would have had first hand accounts of all that was happening including access to Mary the mother of Christ.
The scripture quoted above gives the linage of Jesus all the way back to Abraham. Pointing out to the reader that Jesus was of the right linage to be the Messiah.
Although he was born to parents of low birth Mary and Joseph. Both were honourable people.
Matthew recording,
"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 
All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet:  
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” 
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  
But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." 
Matthew 1:18-25
This is the first proof that Jesus is the Messiah. God actually told Joseph in a dream that the child Mary was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
For such a thing not to be true when it was written would have been counter productive to those who were declaring that Jesus was in deed the Son of God the Saviour of mankind.
Thus such a thing had to be true or it could have derailed the new movement.
Think about it.

Understanding

"He (Jesus) said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?  
For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.  
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.  
Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” 
              Mark 4:21-25
Jesus is the lamp. A lamp is there to illuminate. He brings to light what is meant to be disclosed.
Jesus brings into the open what is meant to be learned.
The purpose in Jesus coming to earth was to illuminate the minds of men. To show them the ways of God and the way to heaven.
The scripture here states, “consider carefully what you hear. With the measure you use, (to hear the truths of God) it will be measured to you and even more.”
All to often we read or hear scripture and choose only to understand what fits our way of thinking. We fail to listen with an open mind.
I find this is particularly so with some non-Christians.
They have a preconceived idea. Usually that God does not exist or at the very least Jesus is not who he says he is.
From their own presuppositions they then conclude that they are right irrespective of what the bible states.
If they even read the bible, they do so with a closed mind and no amount of reading the bible will ever convince them otherwise.
Thus the warning from Jesus.  “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.”
If we fail to recognize Jesus for who he is then why should he, when we stand before him recognize us?
He is simply saying you acknowledge that I am the Son of God the Saviour of the mankind or I will not recognize you as one of my own and thus will cast you away.
Jesus says,
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
                                 John 3:18.
  Where do you stand?
Think about it?

There are Christians and There are Christians

“Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?  
The farmer sows the word.  
Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.  
Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.  
But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” 
                                                     Mark 4:13-20.
The above scripture Mark 4:13-20 is Jesus’s explanation of the parable of the sower.
It is a scripture that is quite often used wrongly by the so called name it claim it crowd. Those who would say if you give to God a hundred dollars he’ll give back to you thirty, sixty even a hundred times.
They encourage people to sow into their ministry and when the rewards don’t come as they say. They explain it away that the person sowing didn’t have enough faith. This is pure and simply a lie.
This parable is talking about evangelization. About a farmer, you and me and any other believer in Christ that is presenting the Word of God to the world around us.
Jesus points out that the seeds of the Word we sow falls basically on four kinds of people.
The first are those who hear it but it dismiss it. They are turned away either by Satan or their own preconceived ideas that God is not real.
The second are those who receive the Word but they are very shallow people with no real roots. They are joyful upon hearing it. They are caught up in perhaps the emotion of the moment, be it in a church, at a large rally or even in someone’s living room. but don’t take it to heart and eventually turn away from God.
The third are those who hear but the word is choked off by the cares of this world. By the focus on earthly things such as the building up of wealth, possessions and other things. None of which are bad things. Still they can, if not kept in perspective, keep a person from finding true riches in God.
The fourth is the person who takes the word of God to heart and allows it to grow in their heart and life.
They cultivate it and grow in power and strength in Christ. They go on to produce a crop of believers themselves and produce in abundance.
Thus not all Christians are alike although they may call themselves Christians many are not truly living the life. Which if you think about it explains the differences in the lifestyles of some Christians.
Now having heard all of that tell me what kind of ground are you?
Are you committed to Christ? Have you dismissed Christianity and God as not being real or are you somewhere in the middle? Think about it.

Who is Greatest?

“The greatest among you will be your servant.  
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 
                                                                                                  Matthew 23:11,12.
I use to be a member of a very good church choir. We’d sing weekly in the church and our talents didn’t go unnoticed. As a result we’d sing at other venues from time to time. We even sung on television.
During the weekly performances we’d quite often have a hard time getting a lot of people to turn out for rehearsals and the weekly performance.
Twice a year Christmas and Easter however we’d put on incredible performances that integrated music and drama.
For those performances we had no problem attracting people to the choir.
There were required auditions but people lined up to audition there were no shortage of people who wanted to perform in those performances. They were prestigious.
After however the numbers in our choir again took a nose dive to a dedicated few.
I know what it’s like to be in front of audiences. Not only did I perform in that choir but my full time job is as a professional clown.
I perform in front of groups ranging from a few kids at a birthday party to large gatherings.
The thrill of the performance no matter how big or how small is still one of the best feelings you can ever have. And to get accolades after it, it’s even better.
But I’ve found to be a good children’s performer you have to be humble. Jesus said,
“The greatest among you will be your servant.  
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 
                                                                                                  Matthew 23:11,12.
I had a partner briefly once that couldn’t understand why we were not invited to share in the food and cake at particularly a children’s birthday party.
I had to explain to her that we were hired servants. That the best we should expect was to receive our pay, which was significant.
It was something she never understood and I stopped using her as my partner.
There are too many people like her in the world.
I was once at a men’s church function when we were asked as an ice breaker to tell a little about ourselves. About what we did.
I always get a laugh (what’s not to laugh about a clown) so I went first.
As people introduced themselves I found that I’d sat with two vice presidents of different companies, the manager of a bank and one man who was almost to shy to speak.
He said nervously “I’m a garbage man.”
To his surprise one of the VP’s said, “Fantastic a real working man. You are a true servant. If I went on strike no one would notice but you on the other hand are one of the most vital services we have. It’s not everyone that can do what you do.”
The VP. was sincere in what he was saying. He quoted Matthew 23:11,12. The conversation then turned to that garbage man.
I’d never imagined so many questions could be asked about garbage.
The proceedings had a very up lifting effect on the man.
Later he came to me and said. “I never thought I was important. I only took the job because I couldn’t get anything better and the pay and benefits were half decent.”
It was something I’ve never forgotten. He actually had a university degree that had proved useless to him and a family to support. Thus the reason he’d taken the job.
From that point on he was proud about his work.
We should all be like that man. Even Jesus humbled himself to wash the feet of his disciples.
Tell me are you a humble person or are you always looking for a way to shout “look at how great I am”? Think about it.

Jesus will Return

Jesus will return

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 
        Matthew 36-44
I am a firm believer in the fact the Jesus will return to this earth to judge it. He will come and he will judge everyone both Christians and non-Christians.
We therefore as believers need to be working for Christ.
There are too many people in the church who are not working for Christ. They come to church have a pleasant time fellowshipping and singing a few songs. They more than likely even like what the pastor is saying. Yet they are not working for Christ. It is so sad.
A survey I once read said that ten percent of those who attend church do ninety percent of the work.
Think what how much more the church could do if those in the church who are currently not doing anything for the Lord would lend a hand. So much more could be done.
Are you working for Christ? Are you doing all you could do for Jesus?
Think about it.