Friday, Mar 07, 2008

March 7 2008

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March 7 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 5; Ezekiel 10; Hebrews 2

Today is March 7 this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. TWG is a complete turn of events, it is a 180 degree turn around. God is changing us and turning us around as a community. This is not business as usual, this is transforming, this is spiritual, this is essential.

Another day in the record books. Yesterday I somehow managed to catch up a little. I posted several podcasts to the internet and finished editing our radio broadcast for Growing Together. I worked on Easter for a little while, and then turned my attention to Sunday’s message called “the Green Monster of Greed,” about the dangers of gambling. Ever heard a message about that? Come on out. I also posted the information for the bulletin so that Susan could get it. The ladies were at church for Bible Study. The g-kids stopped in. I love it when Esther and Isaiah come over! They are sooo cute and sweet. After work, I went to work out with Kyle & Marcia, and then I had Kyle record several intros for our radio program. Then I got a phone call from John telling me that Pastor Honn’s wife Joanne was in the ER, so I stopped in to see them. They thought that perhaps she was having a heart attack, but The tests have all come negative so far. Pray for her. And finally it was home for the evening where I read a few chapters from a book and sort of watched American Idol.

This week’s theme verse. Matthew 5:8-11 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the persecuted. Now what is that about! I’d just assume that Jesus left this beatitude out! Who wants to get beat up, stabbed, whipped, cut apart with obscenities, bombed out or killed? Not I! I have no desire for others to inflict pain upon me. Count me out! I don’t think, however that Jesus was saying that we should SEEK out pain like some religious people do with self flagellation. Jesus was saying that when others seek us out to persecute us because of our stand for righteousness, then we ought to rejoice! If your firm stand for Jesus makes you a target then so be it. There can be no greater honor than to “take a bullet” in the line of duty for God almighty. There is no more honorable service than to do service for Jesus your Lord. How much does your relationship to Jesus mean to you? If eternal life is of eternal worth, and Almighty God is worth more than life itself, than we ought to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Cause of Christ. If necessary, we should gird up our resolve and grit our teeth and be willing to die for Him. Agreed? Think on it. Ponder it carefully and make a decision you will be happy to stand behind. Make the right decision. Jesus said, “unless a man takes up his cross (a form of execution) and follows me, he is not worthy of the kingdom of God.” Jesus is worth it. Eternal life is worth it. If you don’t have a cause worth dying for, then you really don’t really have anything worth living for. And speaking of living; if Jesus is worth dying for, why not die to other priorities right now and put Jesus first in your daily life. I know you’re busy. I know your life is full of commitments. But if you won’t put Jesus first now in life, what makes you think that you’d be willing to put him first when the pressure is on. Blessed are you when they persecute you for righteousness sake, and blessed are you when you live for righteousness sake right here, right now.

Dear Lord God Almighty. I pledge my allegiance to you. I pledge to live for you every day, putting your kingdom first in my life and in my priorities. You have my obedience. I also choose to live for you no matter the cost. I don’t know how I will respond under pressure, but I am willing to say right now, “With you strengthening me and giving me the resolve, I am willing to be persecuted for righteousness sake. I believe would die for you, and I want to live for you.” In Jesus precious name, Amen.

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