Depending upon your personality type, it may be hard to be serious, joke around or relax. Everyone is wired a certain way so to break out of your norm isn’t easy. As for me, I tend to be competitive and intense. Sometimes I wonder if God places me in certain situations to loosen me up.
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them, Mark 10:13.
Based upon the context of Mark 10, it appears the twelve disciples had a tendency to be all work and no play. Watching from a distance, Jesus intervened, trying to teach a valuable life lesson. Whether it was the innocence of children or the endless energy most possess, Jesus stressed the importance of welcoming young people. Perhaps interacting with youth might loosen up the disciples.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, ” Mark 10:14.
This passage serves as a reminder to not to forget the next generation. While you may think you are right, another voice may provide a new or quicker way of doing things. Beside accepting children, adults would be wise to invest time in nurturing young men and women. By doing this, you will honor God and leave a legacy of prepared believers to impact those struggling to make sense of these ever changing days.
To blight, contaminate or destroy highlight terms to describe the word tainted. This suggests prior to someone or something being tarnished, innocence and purity existed. Like the days before Adam’s failure to lead and Eve’s misguided curiosity, perfection was in reach.
Unfortunately, individuals have now been infected with an undetectable virus. This blemish has marred human DNA, corrupted by a nature designed to be at war with God, Galatians 5:16-18. Defiled by sin, Romans 3:9-12, attempts to be disciplined, do right and stay out of trouble is no longer a given, Romans 7:14-20. This stain on human beings has left a path of destruction throughout history.
While ruin daily visits once regarded saints, the promises of James 5:16 provides hope for the hapless. Although stigmatized by the world, wounded souls seek refuge at the altar of God. When the burdens of life become too heavy to handle on your own, come to Jesus for He will give you rest, Matthew 11:28. Like an infomercial for dirty laundry, shout out your sins to the Lord and He will transform your life from tainted to become as pure as snow, Isaiah 1:18.
How many times in life do you seek an emotional high? One that never ends; giving you a sensation like a drug, 24 hours a day. Many go through their entire lives searching, but never find the real thing.
Do you recall your first day of school? As formal education begins, innocence gives way to curiosity and terror. Fears over finding friends and earning acceptance by your peers takes precedence. However, the thought of being away from your parents provides a sense of freedom temporarily. This freedom entices you to try new things, experimenting with fruit, forbidden by parents and teachers.
By the time junior high arrives, eyes start to wander… BABES, STUDS, ALCOHOL and DRUGS! Perhaps you might not be as distracted as some, yet juicy stories spread fast through the grape vine peeking your interest. The closer you look, the mind takes on an alter ego, longing for items on the other side of the fence. Fleshly desires, peer pressure and the unknown leads you to the verge of sin thinking, “Oh baby this sure does feel good.”
A junior high experiment often leads to a senior high life style. Marijuana, pranks and sex are just a few of the choice behaviors one indulges in to obtain the real thing. Sure, there are risks, even consequences; but what will my friends think if I go straight? “Everybody is doing it, why can’t I,” says the follower. As high school drifts by, the next hurdle to jump is college. Hobbies you once did for a buzz no longer provide satisfaction. Call it what you may: a habit, obsession, way of life or obliterating time, something inside can’t let go. This quest for real life has turned into an addiction.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you do what you do? Has it occurred to you that you’ve missed something along the way? Is there something else out there beside living for the weekend? I don’t believe you and I were placed on this earth by accident. Growing up, working for a living 9 to 5, have fun for a while then repeat this cycle over and over again til you die? This doesn’t make sense! There must be a greater purpose or meaning in life, but what is it?
Jesus Christ, the son of God the Father is your answer. God sent His one and only son, Jesus, down to earth, to die for blemishes on earth, John 3:16-17. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father according to the Apostle’s Creed. Jesus didn’t just die on a cross and rise from the dead for His own glory, Romans 5:8. Rather, Jesus became sin for us: for you, me and everyone ever born on planet earth. Jesus did all of this so that all of us might be seen as righteousness before God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This may sound crazy, yet there is no other HIGH greater than entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10. Nothing else compares to dedicating your life to God in your living years, John 10:10. Thus, peace is found in no other place, Galatians 5:22-23. This isn’t about High’s and Low’s. This is about life and death, living and dying, Deuteronomy 30:11-16. The only way to Jesus is through denying yourself, Matthew 16:25. You may think I’m odd, strange or simply old-fashion, yet God has placed the words of this blog on my heart.
If you have tried most everything else, don’t waste your precious time any longer; embrace the Real Thing, Jesus Christ!
An innocent child folds their hands in the dark, calling out to an invisible God, waiting for a reply. As years go on, this teenager places a condition on their request, “if only my parents could get back together, then I will believe?” Once college begins, this student is bombarded with Communism, Marxism and Political Correctness, pondering in the back of their minds, “how can I know sure, what is real and what is a facade?”
Like a locomotive, times steams down the tracks of life. Adulthood brings responsibility, bills, more bills and potentially children. This adult now wrestles with balance, questioning if they have done enough to provide for their family without neglecting their loved ones. Before you know, times vanishes, leaving a glimpse of your glory days, pondering retirement and beyond. Finally, on your death bed, as you breathe your last breaths on earth, you ask one more time, “how can I know for sure that God is real?”
This question was first asked by Abram in Genesis 15:8 as his life wasn’t working out as he had hoped or planned. His wife Sarai had not be able to bear any children, he was nearing 80 and despite being able to talk to God face to face in the mountains, Abram still had doubt in the back of his mind. The disciples had similar concerns in John 14:1-4, as Jesus reveals his plans to go ahead to heaven, preparing rooms for his followers. Finally, the one whom Jesus loved, leaves one final piece of assurance. The promise of 1 John 5:13 should provide the confidence you need as you fall asleep this evening in peace, knowing there is a God and you can spend eternity with Him, Romans 10:9-10.
ExpressYourself4Him 