Jesus

Where is Jesus?

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Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. John 7:45-46 NIV

Can you imagine the scene of today’s verse? Here was a squad of trained, professional soldiers, coming back from their assignment, which had been to arrest Jesus. But instead of bringing in the Rabbi they had been authorized to detain, they show up on the doorstep empty handed. “Where is Jesus?” their commanders asked. “Why are the handcuffs empty?”

“You don’t understand sir,: the captain of the detachment replies. “No one ever spoke like this man!” You see, it isn’t just during our worship time, that the things of earth can grow strangely dim. This little story tells us that when Jesus was seen for who He truly is, even His enemies weren’t sure what to do with Him. We may try to look away, but His eyes hold ours, His words penetrate our hearts and the power of His presence is more than we know how to deal with. Today it is two thousand years later, but people are still asking, “Just who is this Jesus?” The answer of our faith is that, He is the King of kings and the Lamb of God. He is the carpenter from Nazareth and the Word of God in human form. Jesus is the beginning and the end. He is the bright and morning star. Jesus is the Holy Son of the Living God and the Savior of the world. He humbly rode in on a donkey, but one day He will victoriously return on a white horse. Are you ready for all of who Jesus is? Am I? Why not turn our eyes upon Jesus this morning? Let’s look full in His wonderful face, before we go out to face the world, so that we will be empowered to report to others, “No one ever spoke like this man!” I pray you will be blessed by this simple version of the old hymn, along with the short message, from our Sunday service at Watermark.

Feeling Lost?

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Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Psalms 25:4 NKJV

Some days I feel lost, and hemmed in like the children of Israel at the Red Sea. But when I don’t know which way to go in life, then with David I can cry, “Show me your ways O Lord. Teach me Your paths!” Psalm 25:4 NKJV And just as He promises, God listens and directs our path.

When things seem dark and confusing, John tells us that, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5 NLT And God lights up the dark places and comforts our souls, like a child who crawls into bed with mom and dad on a scary night.

And in those moments when we feel like failures and taking the next step seems impossible, Paul shares what Jesus told him, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV God doesn’t only use strong, smart and perfect people. He loves most to work with small, weak and broken people just like us so that He can show us His power, His love and His mercy. Then, He sends us to others to share that knowing and trusting in Him is the only real hope that anyone can have and that no matter what we face that He is enough!

Jesus – The Name of Christmas

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And she will have a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matthew 1:32 

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her,” for you have found favor with God.”  You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31  

When God gave the name Jesus it is interesting to see that he spoke both to Joseph and to Mary. To Mary Gabriel explained all that Jesus would do as the Messiah, but to Joseph God defined the name. The name Jesus was given because God had given His Son, not only to teach us the ways of Heaven, heal our sickness, or give us a comfortable life; Jesus came to save His people from their sins. 

One of the most beautiful sounds in the entire world to each of us is the sound of our own name. We love to hear our name mentioned especially if it is linked with assurance, love or praise. The sound I want most to hear as I cross into eternity is my own name being called by God himself with the phrase “Well done good and faithful servant” Our name is what calls our attention at any moment. 
Imagine Jesus entering the world cradled in Mary’s arms in that stable in Bethlehem. One of the first words Mary and Joseph would say was, “Jesus!”  God had kept His promise to them just as He said. From that day forward every time Jesus heard His own name it would be a reminder of why He had come. When He was growing up in the home with His brothers and Mary called out, “Jesus” he would remember that he was different. God had sent Him not just to be born in the humble stable, but also one day to give His life as a sacrifice for us.