From Gary... Get on board - the sights will be magnificent

Picture #1

Picture #2

 Picture #3

The same day that I took the picture of my daughter's house across the field, I didn't go straight home.  Instead, I decided to go up the hill and to extend my walk with Buddy around the perimeter of the development.  As we went up Maverick and turned onto Bronco, I took some pictures and asked the owner of the property (John) if I could use them.  Thankfully, he agreed and today I get to share them with you.  Initially, I wanted them because they reminded me of the trains my father had when I was a small child.  My father had a put together about eight sheets of plywood on wooden supports and had several trains running at one time.  He had train stations, several distinct train sets and every sort of prop you could think of.  I don't recall it all because I was only about five or so, but when he allowed me into his room to see the trains, I knew I was in for a treat!!!  Every so often, he would even stage collisions and I remember how magnificent it was to see them!!!  It was a sight that has  stayed with me over fifty years, and the memory of watching those trains has morphed into something else- a way of looking at the world.  I like what Paul has to say about how Christians should "see things" and every single time I read this chapter it is thrilling!!!  Hope you have the same feeling...

Ephesians, Chapter 3

 1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,  2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;  3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,  4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;  6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,  7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.  8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;  10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,  11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;  12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.  13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory. 

God has given us an entire world to enjoy.  With sights and sounds and stay with us over the decades.  We gradually understand more and more of what life is "all about" as we become sentient and as we grow spiritually we can begin to understand the spiritual as well.  Through nature God has revealed himself and through his prophets and apostles he has given us understanding of his plans to bring us closer to him.  And that is what Paul is referring to- The Eternal Purpose and Plan of God--- for us!!!  Open your mind, think about it- and then open your Bible.  As you read and pray, God will help you understand.  He will eventually become so close to you that everything you do, everywhere you go - your entire life will become entwined with him.  So, like everything else - even trains lead you back to God.  Get on board, the heavenly express is about to leave....

From Jim McGuiggan... Tsunamis and Christ

Tsunamis and Christ

It’s easy to hand out advice from a position of safety and security. It’s easy to be optimistic when your own life is fine or if at present you are going through a difficult patch but you know you have good reason to believe that it’ll soon sort itself out and you will be back on a level surface again. It’s easier to be one that is standing well up on the beach, out of the fury of the surf, yelling chatty advice to some poor soul that’s being pounded by waves and driven under, panic-stricken and straining for air.

It never was that way with Christ even when he called for gallantry from people in awful situations, because it was out of the darkness of the cross and his own fears that Jesus called. I think that’s why we keep trusting Jesus Christ even when harsh realities—Asian tsunamis and day after day after day crippling circumstances— continue to pound us and nothing seems to change. I think that he has convinced us that not only has he known unceasing pressure but that when his own darkest hour came that he was still sure, still persuaded beyond argument that God could be trusted. So, in the words of the psalmist, he says something like, "The Lord was always there with me and I saw him. When I look, he is there to the right of me so I will not be shaken. And that is why down at the centre of my being I'm glad and why I find myself praising him. I know I am human and will experience the agony of death but I feel no despair—I live and I live in hope! Because you will not abandon me and let the grave have the last word; you will not allow decay and destruction to be the end of your Holy One. You have shown me what life is and how to live it and I know I will be brimful of the joy you give when you finally bring me into your presence." Acts 2:25-28.

This is the heart and these are the words of one beaten by the waves and not one safely on the beach yelling advice. And carried to us on the shrieking wind from the heart of "the perfect storm" he speaks of life and joy and assurance and hope!

All very pious, all very sweet, but do the hard facts not drown all that religious waffling? New Testament writers watched the gathering storm of Roman invasion and when a Roman tsunami broke over the nation do you think they felt less than we do? Don’t you imagine that someone pounded the table and choked with anger or frustration wanted to know what was going on? Jesus spoke of that awful time and described its horror (Luke 21:5-26)—there was nothing unrealistic about the Christ. But along with all its pain and loss and agony he said this astonishing thing (Luke 21:28), "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

I’m not pretending to deal with the text in its historical and predictive setting. I want only to make the point that Jesus was so sure of his Father that he calls fearful followers caught up in a storm that beggared description to, "stand up, lift up your heads, your redemption is near." Would you not have expected something different? "When you see all these things come to pass, throw in the towel, wring your hands in despair, grovel and stammer because you’ve finally seen the truth and the present and future is unbroken gloom!"

That’s...not...what...he...said!

And one sufferer who knew what pain and loss and loneliness and hunger was—not because he read Charles Dickens but because he personally was on the rack—took God seriously. In Romans 8:31-39 he looked at a sad, bad world, he looked at his own agony and loss and then he looked at the cross of Christ and said, "None of that nor all of it together can persuade me that God doesn’t love us!"

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Healings In Gennesaret

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                  The Healings In Gennesaret (6:53-56)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following Jesus' walk on water, other miracles soon followed...
   a. Shortly after anchoring the boat on the shores of Gennesaret - Mk 6:53
   b. When Jesus healed everyone who was brought to Him - Mk 6:54-56

2. "The Healings In Gennesaret" provide an opportunity to make
   observations about...
   a. The success of Jesus' healing ministry
   b. The purpose of Jesus' healing ministry

[Similar observations can be made about the healing ministries of Peter
and Paul, which can serve to critique so-called healing ministries today
(are they really of God?).  So let's begin by noting...]

I. THE SETTING OF THE HEALINGS

   A. IN GENNESARET...
      1. Where Jesus and His disciples anchored their boat - Mk 6:53
      2. A densely populated and fertile plain south of Capernaum
         - Hendriksen
      3. About 3 miles along the Sea of Galilee (also called the Lake of
         Gennesaret, Lk 5:1) - ibid.
      4. Its natural beauty and fertility were most remarkable... the
         plain produced walnuts, palms, figs, olives, and grapes
         - Josephus

   B. OTHER OCCASIONS...
      1. The healings of Peter - Ac 5:14-16
         a. In Jerusalem
         b. During the early days of the church
      2. The healings of Paul - Ac 19:11-12
         a. In Ephesus
         b. During his extended stay, while on his third journey

[In both rustic and urban settings, wonderful things happened when true
men of God were healing the sick.  But now let's consider carefully...]

II. THE SUCCESS OF THE HEALINGS

   A. IN GENNESARET...
      1. When people heard He was there, they gathered the sick - Mk 6:54-56
      2. Wherever He went, they brought the sick to Him
         a. On beds
         b. Laying them in the market places
      3. Note well:  "as many as touched Him were made well"

   B. OTHER OCCASIONS...
      1. Peter in Jerusalem - Ac 5:14-16
         a. The sick were laid out in the street on beds and couches
         b. People from surrounding cities were brought the sick and
            possessed
         c. Note well:  "they were all healed"
      2. Paul at Ephesus - Ac 19:11-12
         a. God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul
         b. Even handkerchiefs brought from his body to the sick healed
            them
         c. Note well:  implied is that all who received such
            ministrations were healed

[The crowds that gathered around Jesus, Peter, and Paul were
understandable.  The success of these three men was remarkable.  Now for
an observation or two about...]

III. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HEALINGS

   A. IN GENNESARET...
      1. The purpose of the healings was to confirm Jesus' claims - cf.
         Jn 5:36; 10:25,37-38
      2. People who saw such signs made the connection - e.g., Jn 3:2;
         9:30-33
      3. Jesus did refrain on one occasion from doing miracles for lack
         of faith - cf. Mt 13:58
      4. But note well:  He never failed any miracle that He Himself
         attempted!

   B. OTHER OCCASIONS...
      1. The purpose of apostolic miracles was to confirm their message
         - Mk 16:17-20
      2. God bore witness to His Word by the gifts of the Holy Spirit
         - He 2:3-4
      3. The apostles did not always heal those they knew were sick
         - cf. 2Ti 4:20
      4. But note well:  the apostles never failed any miracle they
         attempted!

CONCLUSION

1. Today, there are self-proclaimed faith healers who say God is working
   through them...
   a. Often large crowds attend their meetings, hoping to be healed
   b. But many people leave such meetings, disappointed that they were
      not healed
   c. Despite having such healers lay their hands on them, and pray for
      them

2. When true servants of God healed, everyone was healed...!
   a. Whether it was Jesus, Peter or Paul
   b. The purpose of miracles to confirm they were servants of God
   c. And God left no room for doubt!

3. The fact is, such healing ministries were for a specific purpose...
   a. They were to confirm the message and messengers as being from God
   b. Once the Word of God was completely revealed and confirmed, there
      is no longer a need for such miracles of confirmation - cf. 1Co 13:8-10
   c. Which explains why such miracles are not being done today
   d. Contrary to claims made by false teachers who mislead many

When we carefully study the miracles of Jesus and those of His apostles,
comparing them with the so-called miracle healers of today, we can
easily see the difference...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011