The Jesus Factor

What is the secret to the construction of the universe? What is the secret to living your life? Jesus gives an object lesson to his disciples about how they can cope with impossible situations. He introduces them to the Jesus Factor.

The Still Small Voice

Elijah was discouraged.

He had triumphed at the showdown with the prophets of Baal. God had sent fire from heaven. The people confessed that the LORD (YHWH) was God and had killed the prophets of Baal! Elijah had prayed and God had sent rain to end the 3 1/2 year drought. Elijah had been so invigorated that he outran the king's chariot!

But it had not been enough. Even this great victory - this great show of God's power - this decimation of the false prophets and false gods and false worship - it had not been enough. Wicked Queen Jezebel was as evil as ever and was still working in opposition!

If this great demonstration of God's power couldn't wipe the slate clean and get things going in the right direction, what was the use of continuing the struggle?  Elijah ran away.

And he ran, and he ran, and he ran. And God graciously listened to Elijah's complaint. ("Blah, blah, blah - I quit!")

Then there was a wind so strong it broke the rocks in pieces.  That was followed by an earthquake. The earthquake was followed by a fire.

Each of these was a demonstration of God's great power! Surely God could send a wind strong enough to blow Jezebel away! God could send an earthquake that would shake her city down and crush her in the rubble! God could send a great fire that would burn wicked Jezebel up!  But in each of these demonstrations of power - wind, earthquake and fire - the scriptures say, "but the LORD was not in..." the wind, the earthquake or the fire.

After the fire, however, there was a "still small voice." The ESV translates this, "a low whisper." And at this point, Elijah recognizes that the LORD is there. And God graciously listens to Elijah's complaint a second time... ("Blah, blah, blah - I quit.")

Not so fast, Elijah!

• God has the power.
• God has a plan.
• God will accomplish His plan by His power in His way and His time - Maybe by a still small voice.

Get over yourself - wait on the Lord!
(See 1 Kings 18-19)

Church Jump Start

Is the book of Acts a model for the modern church? Or is it something unique and unrepeatable? What can we learn from the things that happened to them 2000 years ago?

Jesus Calls Witnesses

Who are you going to believe? The religious leaders were not willing to take Jesus' word that he was equal with God. So Jesus points out some of the witnesses that testify about his true identity. What do you believe about Jesus?

Don't Be Afraid

The synagoge ruler was with Jesus when they got the word that his daughter had died. 

Talk about a discouraging word! 

I'm sure he was instantly crushed. 

Pain pierced his heart. 

Tears formed in his eyes. 

A wail caught in his throat. 

His knees began to give way...

(Mark 5:36 NKJV) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

Life is hard. Difficulties abound. Disappointment weighs us down. Sorrow floods our hearts.

But Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. There is nothing that Jesus cannot take care of, so there is nothing to fear. Trust Jesus. Walk with Jesus. Wait to see what Jesus will do to turn a terrible situation into a miraculous deliverance.

God Is Serious

Ananias and his wife, Sapphira,  made a serious mistake. They thought they could pull a fast one that would make them look good, but would also net them some extra cash. They didn't realize that God takes things so seriously.

Jesus Is God

The Jewish religious leaders were mad at Jesus.  They were so mad, they were plotting to kill him. Why? Because he had healed a man on the Sabbath, had told that man to carry his bed on the Sabbath, and now claimed that God was his own Father - suggesting that he was equal with God.

This passage of scripture is a message given by Jesus. What is the point he is making? Can you pick it out?

Love & Giving

Valentines Day is coming up fast and the theme aisle at Wal-Mart is loaded with red and pink packages with hearts (and chocolates) in abundance. Candy and Jewelry stores are promoting their products as the best expressions of romantic appreciation.

But where does love fit into all of this holiday fervor?
Is it fair to say that romance is not necessarily related to love?

Love is not attraction - physical or otherwise. 

Love is not a sense of pleasure derived from the object of your love. 

Love is not infatuation.

True love is a decision to give yourself for the good of the other.

True love is a willing sacrifice of self for the other.

True love is finds its joy in the delight of the loved one.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...

(1 John 4:10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son...

(Romans 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Ephesians 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 

Let your love run deep and strong. Give yourself - heart and soul - for life - no matter what.  

Then enjoy the holiday. Give gifts. Be romantic.

Exercise

I've been trying to get back into a routine of exercise.

You know the old saying, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step? The same truth can be applied to exercise. A "routine" of exercise implies that it is something I will do with regularity. But before I can have a routine I must exercise the first day.

Getting started is hard. Since I was out of the habit of exercising, I needed to reorganize my morning schedule to fit in time for exercise. Since we have moved to a new home since I last had a habit of exercise, I also had to put together my equipment and find my exercise clothes.

Finally, I had no more excuses for procrastination and I got started, but had to start at a lower level than I had left off... And that's discouraging. But I did get started one morning last month.

My goal is to exercise three days a week.  That is the routine I desire.  But I have had interruptions. Special errands to run, meetings to attend, work to finish... So far, some weeks I only exercised one morning and others I exercised two. I have yet to exercise three in one week.

But this is how it starts. I am on my way. Eventually I will exercise three days in one week.  After that I will string several of those weeks together. Finally I will be in a routine of exercise.

It is the same with diets and devotions and memorization and pretty much everything else.

Waiting until everything is perfect is a sure way to keep from starting.

Christ's Preeminence

Christ is preeminent over all things. How does this affect us? How can this help us?

Felt Needs & Real Needs

People have many needs. Some they know about. But what does God have to say about our real needs?