Jesus

The Return of Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.           2 Peter 2:12 ESV

Last year the nativity scene at the entrance to our community was hit by raiders who must have decided that it would be a great joke to make off with the baby Jesus, leaving an empty manger. The rest of the Christmas season Mary, and Joseph remained along with a few sheep and camels but the child did not return even for Christmas Eve.

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When December of this year rolled around I looked forward hopefully to a reunited Holy Family. But my hopes were dashed when I saw the same lonely group appear forlornly kneeling around an empty place on the hay. And then this morning Jesus made His appearance. No doubt this Baby in the Manger is firmly anchored and watched over by security cameras.

Just like last year’s manger robbers, some of our lives have been robbed of a Christmas joy and are facing the holiday alone, tired and maybe even bored with the entire ritual. But we have a hope and a far better one than the replica of baby Jesus in a manger scene.  We have God’s promise that just as wise men traveled thousands of miles with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, Jesus has promised to return with His gifts of forgiveness, peace and eternal life. So whether we live alone in an apartment, lie in a hospital bed or are blessed with a loving family: we have hope. Our King will certainly return and when He does He has promised to fill forever that empty place that waits for Him in our hearts.  Nativity

Did Jesus Have a Job?

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him..                Mark 6:3 ASV

One fact that has constantly amazed me about the heroes and heroines of films is that most of them are rich but almost no one has a job. I have questions like: what does Batman do for a living or where did Mr. Darcy get the money to buy all that artwork? One of my professors in Bible College  used to say that if today were the day that Jesus was coming; he would still get his brief case ready and go to class. His point was that we all have a job God has given us to do and if we are doing our best; then that is good enough for Him.

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In the Bible we see that Moses was a shepherd, Amos a farmer and the Apostle Paul made tents. The only unemployed guy was John the Baptist who lived in the desert and he ate locusts and wore homemade clothes(Pretty sure there won’t be many takers for that!). In fact  most people overlook that even Jesus had a job! Yes; even the One who came to earth to give His life for our sins, worked from nine to five for most of His adult life. How strange to think that Jesus Christ worked hard to pay the bills and take care of His mother and younger brothers and sisters. So if it was good enough for Jesus then why not us? The most important job we could ever do is to serve others with whatever Jesus puts in our hands until the day He comes. What has he put in your hands today?

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Preparing a Home for Jesus

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Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him; and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 ESV

When we Christians think of heaven we generally focus on how Jesus has a place prepared for us there. But heaven is not just some geographical place we go to live; it is God coming to live with us. So how can we prepare a place for Him? The good news is that we can’t; but Jesus can!

Now it isn’t exactly like what happened when we had some remodeling done in our kitchen but it does share some certain points. First; we needed to realize that the repairs needed were more than we could handle. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “If any man hears my voice and opens the door.”

KIMG1580Our job was to open the door when our contractors showed up. Imagine if instead of letting the kitchen installers in, we just started hammering away ourselves. That is what we do when we leave Jesus outside our door. He has everything necessary to remodel our hearts but first we have to let Him in.

 

On the other hand; unlike our project; Jesus doesn’t just plan on showing up, doing his work and going home. Jesus said that He wanted to come in, sit down and stay. His plan begins by demolishing our old life along with our sins on the cross. Then He follows up with all the changes and new materials needed being installed through His resurrection. When He has finished His job we will discover that Heaven is simply where He sits down at our kitchen table and enjoys a meal with us forever in that place inside of us which only He can prepare!