THE MESSIAH'S FAMILY TREE

Began a study of the book of Matthew today with my men's group. The book is written for the purpose of exposing the people of Isreal to the Christ. Matthew begins with the proof of Christ's family tree being from Abraham through David thus fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be in the line of David.

Even more amazing is that Matthew records the imperfections of Christ's line even with the 'royal' bloodline. Many of the kings were of questionable character and the four women recorded even had some bumps in their past. There is Tamar, a widow woman who deceived her father-in-law to get her heritage. Rahab, a prostitute and Ruth a non-Jew who married into the line. And of course Uriah's wife whom David had an affair with. All of these imperfect people lined up as direct desendants of Christ. It shows me just how much God cares for His prize creation - mankind! He loves us 'warts and all.'
Secondly, I am amazed by the obedience of Joseph. As one writer put it "Joseph had two options by law when he learned of Mary's pregnancy (1) stone her or (2) divorce her, but God gave him a third" and he obeyed and chose it. It is noted in the opening of Matthew that Joseph was righteous before God, he was a man of compassion who did more than pay lip service to the Creator. He followed God without hesitation.

This opening chapter teaches us that (1) God loves us no matter who we are or how we've lived and (2) He is worth following radically!!
God sent His son so that we might have eternal life unconditionally. I hope that this week you will choose to follow as Joseph did the invitation to join God where He is at work around you!!

Hope you're in church Sunday. And if you happen to be in the mid-cities area and seeking to know more let me invite you 121 Community Church in Grapevine. A buddy of mine is giving testimony tomorrow about his mission to Russia during the worship service at 9:30 a.m.

TRUSTWORTHY SAYINGS

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Twice in Paul's letter to Timothy he records a 'Trustworthy Saying'. The first of which is "15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst."
The second is found in chapter 4. "9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe."
Both trustworthy sayings "deserve full acceptance". Full acceptance by who and for what purpose. Acceptance by all who read and hear and believe. For the purpose of understanding why Christ came. He came to give sinners the hope of salvation as Savior of all men.
Trustworthy...are you, am I...probably not, at least not all time. Does everything we say deserve full unquestioned acceptance, there again probably not. But isn't it great to know that God through Christ shows His infinite patience to restore every man willingly to right relationship with Him. It is an overwhelming flood of hope that rushes forth like a title wave when we pause to meditate on the depth of these trustworthy sayings.
Have you heard them, has your life been changed by the one who guarantees them? I hope that you will take time to look into and examine and accept these sayings for the hope that is within them.

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS

The amazing journey on the mission field of education continues to be filled with blessings that bring praise to the heart and mouth of this unworthy believer. It is joyful to see God at work in your life in both major and minor ways.
The blessing of finding the jobs that can only be described as God opening the door. The blessing of seeing our house sell in just a very short time.
The blessing of being a part of a state championship football staff.
The blessing of teaching young people every day and getting paid for it. That's a double whammy.
The blessing of seeing God bring the young woman into my sons life that He had for him. And the joy of being able to call her our daughter.
The blessing of watching our daughter finish her degree and the joy she gets from teaching.
The blessing of seeing my students excel on the TAKS. The joy of being able to impact their lives in a positive way.
The blessing of being recommended to a program in our district for future administrators. And the blessing of being accepted.
The blessing of having a church family that is truly living on the cutting edge of ministry as we send our missionaries to India, Russia, China, Arlington, and New Orleans. Being a part of a men's group that is totally awesome. I can't wait to see us expand to Cracker Barrells around the world. :)
The blessing of working with teenagers in the context of the local church and the school.
14And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].
15And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
16Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.
Colossians 3:14-16 (Amplified Bible)
Live your life before the world in such a way as to be a continual praise to God so that through your His grace might be displayed daily!! And take time today to count the blessings that God has given you, its one way to keep the stuff of this world from becoming a flood that washes it away.

NEW REGIMENT

After too many weeks of undiscipline living it is time to "beat my body" into shape so that I won't become disqualified through the inability to function at a high level of energy as I work with children and teens this summer.
This morning took time as I ate my one egg breakfast after walking two miles and drinking 16 oz of H20 to spend time in the Word. The following passage is where I roosted today.
Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
I desperately need God's mercy daily as I stumble through this life. Praise Him for the righteousness and faithfulness that allow me to avoid the judgement I deserve
Yes Lord, protect me from the attack of the enemy who would destroy my testimony so as to discredit you in the so doing. Please be my shield today.
Don't forget to dwell on the things of God, don't let the business of this world crowd Him out. But rather look for Him at work around you and join Him.
Allow me to do Your will today and serve You everywhere I go.
It is by the shear grace of God that I will be able to overcome the power of an improper diet in my life. Today is day one of returning to a physical shape that will bring honor and glory to Christ.
As you go this day look for how you can best serve Him. Allow Christ to be your protection from the attacks of the enemy, faith it. And seek to be in His will-perfect or permissive-but be where He wants you to be, doing what He wants you to do, when He wants you to be doing it.
Have a great day.

UNDISQUALIFIED

Day one of the 'getting into shape' routine say me eat right until the Mavs game and I over indulged on the nuts. Worked out twice walking 2 miles in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.
Getting ready to go put in some mileage this morning before doing the 'honey do' thang. I've also got to put some time in to lesson plans for VBX, youth camp and that dreaded bill paying routine.