Please be a Someone Else

S -"So we need someone else to join us as a witness to the resurrection." Acts 1 TS

O -This was the conclusion those closest to Jesus came to in inviting another to join them in the assignment they’d been given. The record in Acts is very clear on this. The main point of their witness was Jesus raised from the dead. The crucifixion is never the focus. In fact, when it is mentioned it is done so on the way to the reality of resurrection. Consider Paul’s understanding of salvation (Romans 10:9): "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This particular focus and qualifier of their activity is very different from the focus and emphasis of the organized Christian religion. 

A -The conversation of the crucifixion follows, comes after, Jesus and his resurrection. The letters of the New Testament are written to those who have embraced Romans 10:9 reality. Why has this change been made? Why would we allow it to remain in our thinking, living and talking. According to the Scriptures what is the proof: 1. Jesus is God’s son? 2. Jesus is the Christ? 3. Jesus is coming again? 4. Jesus is the judge of the human race? 5. that our sins are forgiven? The answer to all the above is resurrection.  [1 Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."] Jesus is eternal, resurrection, vibrant, irrepressible life. Let’s accept heaven’s focus, order and point. Jesus is inviting all who’ve met him to be a "someone else … as a witness to the resurrection."

P - God who gives us Jesus,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. Thank you for making it possible for us to meet, know and follow him … not just to know about him but to actually know him. In that wonderful meeting, abundant, irrepressible life is always the result. Thank you for inviting us to be "someone elses" regarding his amazing person and resurrection life. 

Grateful to know and follow Jesus,

Steve

Guess Who's Moving In?

S - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. … Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. … No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known." (John 1:1, 14, 18 NET)

O - Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. He only does and says what the Father is doing and saying. If one's picture of the Father is not identical to Jesus then the picture is inaccurate. This Jesus "took up residence among us." Jesus came for more than a visit, even an extended one. He not only ‘tabernacled’ in human flesh (σκηνóω:to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle; to dwell), he calls all people to live in him and he will live in them. So permanent is this residence Jesus will pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. … I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them, and I may be in them.” (John 17:20, 21, 26 NET)

A - Jesus wants into me/my life. He wants into all of it and he wants in permanently. WANTS … this is amazing every day and in every way. He wants into my worst and not just my best; into my weaknesses and not just my strengths. The religion of Jesus' day taught people that heaven was barely tolerating them.  Jesus comes to set the record straight. It is the same today. "Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 NET)

P - Lord God Almighty who wants us,

I praise you for this day and everything that has transpired before it … everything. I am forgiving all who've sinned against me because you've forgiven me. I am throwing open the door of my life and welcoming you to come in and to see everything, not just every good thing. I'm asking you to do all you wish … and to transform my whole being to be like you … how I think, live, love, speak … thank you for not leaving me to myself, even by best intended self. Welcome to your residence in me.

Loving you back,

Steve

Everything and Everyone

S - "And with this Word [Jesus], God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him [Jesus], and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out." John 1 TS

O - These four sentences present such a comprehensive and uncompromising picture. All creation owes its existence to Jesus. Every human being is made by Jesus and for Jesus.  There is no one he hasn't made in love, for love and isn't currently loving. Everyone and everything have their touchstone in him and from him. His light, life and love consistently shine where welcomed and where resisted.  Darkness cannot put it out. This is how each of us begin; he is the starting place for each life.  He is the person and the reality all can turn into no matter where they've been or what they've done.   

A - Each day we have the dignity of choice to start where heaven starts.  For ourselves and for all others; we can start where heaven always starts - love. Jesus, because of love, gives each of us free will each day and each circumstance. It is the same for him and his free will.  He has freely chosen to make and to love us all. This light is shining on everyone and cannot be put out! I am so grateful for its rays finding me.

P - Lord who made us all,

You're amazing!  Thank you for starting at love, life and light … and for never ceasing to engage each of us; even if we don’t know it's you at the time.  I want to start where you do … for all others and for myself too. Yes, to you … to loving you and all others.

Steve