Cleaning the inside by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk11_37.htm

Some thoughts on sanctification.... Gary

Caring

Okay, you don't have to be a genius to see what this picture is about!  Hint; it has nothing to do with what part of you is cold.  Rather, its about caring for others and not just yourself.  Jesus puts it this way...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 25

[31] “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. [32] Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. [36] I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

[37] “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? [38] When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’

[40] “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ [41] Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

[44] “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’

[45] “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ [46] These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”"

Tough words, very tough indeed.  But, Jesus was like that; he just spoke plainly, yet powerfully.  Think others don't matter; think again!  To me, this passage speaks directly to Christians.  Do I care for those who love God?  Am I involved in their lives?  If not, why not?  Read the passage again, this time with a view to the consequences if you DON'T CARE.  It should scare you; if it doesn't read it again until it does.  You have more than your feet to worry about!!!

Condemned by others by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk11_31.htm

a sermon from Luke 11:31 ... Gary

A perfect day

I will let you in on a little secret: I have always wanted a sailboat.  For years I have imagined the pleasure of being on the open water, the wind blowing in my face, with no daily pressures or deadlines.  Right now, I don't foresee this as ever happening.  I have no idea how I could possibly raise the funds necessary to do this or whether or not I am just too old to even try such a thing.  However, I can envision the peace and tranquility that this picture represents and realize that someday I will experience such joy... in heaven.  And here is why I know it...

WEB: Revelation of John Chapter 22

[1] He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, [2] in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

Eventually this scripture will become a reality for me and that is better than any sailboat or peaceful day that I could ever possibly imagine.  To be with Jesus is better than anything this world could possibly offer.; it will be a "dream come true".  When you know that your dreams will come true, nothing else really matters, even something you think that you have always wanted.  Besides, who knows if I might get seasick on the water...

Distracted by Good by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk10_38.htm

A lesson about Martha and Mary... Gary Rose

The rest of the story

Paralysis in analysis seems to apply.  However, on a second look there seems to be some truth here.  Thoughtfulness, attention to detail and consideration for others as well as their direct opposites could be gleaned from how someone treats such an ordinary act.  The more I think about it, the more I like the analysis.  Its not just what you say in life; its what you do as well.  Which brings me to the book of Acts (the practices of the apostles of Jesus)...

WEB: Acts Chapter 1

[1] The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, [2] until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. [4] Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "“Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. [5] For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”"

[6] Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

[7] He said to them, "“It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”"

[9] When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 

The "fishermen" of Jesus had been with Jesus for about two plus years.  They had watched him act in all sorts of situations and supposedly learned something.  Now, they were at a crossroads and it was their turn to act.  What they would do would say a great deal about them, just as what WE DO says a lot about US. What we have done in the past says a great deal about who we were, but what we are doing now and what we will do in the future is far more important.  So, take a lesson from the picture above, if you are less than considerate, change.  You may make your spouse happy.  Consider this... if you can change a simple thing like bathroom etiquette, then anything is possible.  Think it really doesn't matter?  These simple fishermen changed the world... and that is the rest of the story (in the book of Acts).

The "me first" mentality by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/lk9_57.htm

Interesting lesson.... Gary