From Ben Fronczek.... Nurture Your Relationship With God

Nurture Your Relationship With God

Cornelius Acts 10 (Part 2)

He was A Roman Warrior, a leader of men, a man raised in a pagan world believing in many gods. His swore his allegiance to them as well as to a man who claimed to be a divine leader, the Caesar of all Rome. But something happened along the way. He was now a mature centurion, in a nice home, in the capitol city of Caesarea, probably there to oversee a squadron of men that was responsible for the security of the Roman governor, Marcelous who now ruled over all Palestine and Judea.

Somehow and somewhere he learned about our Lord and apparently fell in love with Him. I don’t know if it happened before he moved to Caesarea, or after, but we do know that by the time Luke wrote Acts chapter 10, Cornelius and his whole family apparently turned their backs on those pagan gods and were described as being ‘devoted to the Lord’.

In the last lesson I mentioned the fact that I thought that Cornelius was worth taking a closer look at.    I believe that the Lord had his story preserved in scripture because there are some things we can learn from this man. Last week look at how one’s love for God can literally change one’s life, how it can empower us to do things we never thought that we’d ever do on our own. And I talked a little bit about how I believe it changed him. Cornelius seemingly not only put racial prejudice aside. As I mentioned last week, this man who was trained to kill, and conquer, and protect the concerns of the Roman Empire in the name of it’s so called deified Caesar, and in the name of the Roman Gods was now acting more like a Christian than a Roman soldier.

In Chapter 10, verse 2, it says that Cornelius was a “devout” man. The word in Greek means that he acted with piety or with holy awe and reverence. It also indicates that this awe demonstrated itself in activity. This tells me that Cornelius’ faith was not just confined to just words or feeling in his heart, it was seen in his actions and life style.

In other words, Cornelius was not like those Paul described in Titus 1:16, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” Cornelius understood the teaching found in James 2:20, that “faith without deeds are useless.”

So what deeds did Cornelius perform that showed his faith and reverence?

Well, it wasn’t attending a worship service. You see, Cornelius was not invited to attend Jewish worship services because he was an uncircumcised Gentile (Acts 11:3). An uncircumcised man could not enter a synagogue or the Temple in Jerusalem. He was simply not welcome.

Nevertheless, even though he was denied the opportunity to worship in the synagogue and Temple, Cornelius worshipped in all the ways he knew he was able. The Jews may now have allowed him to worship with them but they could not be prevented from praising God in his heart and praying. And so, we read that he did so “regularly or as many translate it, “continually.”  In the context we see that he was praying in the middle of the day.. which was a Jewish custom in itself.

For a believer in God, praying should be as natural as breathing. Yet, if the truth be told, not many of us have a prayer life like Cornelius. Some Christians don’t pray outside the worship service. Many Christians make an effort to ’offer thanks’ or ’ask the blessing’ at meal times and during times of trouble. And still fewer yet are those who might actually pray at the start of day and before going to bed. But, how many of us fulfill the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, where Paul said, “Pray without ceasing”?   Cornelius did!

All too often some Christian don’t feel like they have a close relationship with God. They do not feel the presence of God in their lives. When you ask these people about their prayer life, if they are honest, most will admit that they know that they should pray more but just don’t.

How can we expect God to be near to us if we are far from Him and don’t talk to Him?
In James 4:8 it promises us that if we “draw near to God… He will draw near to us.”

Prayer is the most intimate way in which we can draw near to our God. I do not know of a better and swifter way to be close to God and tap into His love and His power and His joy and His peace than through close and intimate prayer. Not only speaking to God, but also listening to Him.

As I said it last week and I’ll say it again, I don’t think that Christianity is all about being religious, or just about going to church and singing songs, and eating the communion bread and following a bunch of do’ and don’t. Rather I truly believe it’s more about drawing closer to our Lord, and building and nurturing a real relationship with Him. And real prayer, talking to God can help us do that.

And Prayer – is – worship! God is worthy of our praise. God is worthy of our thanksgiving. In Hebrews 13:15 it says, “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name.”

Prayer provides an opportunity to express our needs and have them met. In Hebrews 4:14-16 it says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,… Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”   You see, He wants to have a relationship with us as well. But we put up walls. Just like we do with our spouse. We get so focused on ourselves and what we are concerned about, we don’t let anyone in.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

But such a devoted life as Cornelius’ not only entail believing and feeling good about God, nurturing a relationship with Him in prayer. This kind of love and devotion could not help but overflow onto other things which are important to God, including helping His people.  

I recently came across a poem that made me think of how this should apply to my life:

Live the Way You Pray

I knelt to pray when day was done,    And prayed: “Oh, Lord, bless everyone;

Lift from each saddened heart the pain  -  And let the sick be well again.”

And then I awoke another day  -   And carelessly went on my way.

The whole day long I did not try   -   To wipe a tear from any eye;

I did not try to share the load   -    Of any brother on the road;

I did not even go to see   -   The sick man just next door to me.

Yet once again when day was done,    I prayed: “O, Lord, bless everyone.”

But as I prayed, into my ear    -    There came a voice that whispered clear,

“Pause, hypocrite, before you pray;    Whom have you tried to bless today?

“God’s sweetest blessings always go  -   By hands that serve him here below.”

And then I hid my face and cried,   ”Forgive me, God, for I have lied;

Let me but live another day,    And I will live the way I pray.” 

We find that Cornelius was one who ’lived the way he prayed’; for, the Scripture says that he “gave generously to those in need.” He not only gave to help those around him in need, we also can read between the lines when it says that, ‘he was respected and well spoken of by all the Jews.’   His religion and devotion to God was more than just lip service.

If there was ever an Age in which we need more deeds of kindness, it would be today. Paul told the brethren in Ephesus (Acts 20:35) that Jesus taught that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus taught that true happiness comes, not when you concentrate on yourself and on what you might personally acquire or obtain, but when you meet the needs and help others. That’s when and where you find a blessed happiness.

We are also taught that being generous and sharing or giving to others who are in need,  brings glory to our Lord and God. Jesus taught, in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”

In John 15:8, Jesus is quoted saying  “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

All too often, many in the church seem to think that when Jesus told us to bear fruit He was talking about evangelizing and making more Christians. I personally believe that there was more to that teaching than that. I believe the fruit that we should be bearing as a Christians are the acts of Loving kindness that we actually we saw Jesus, the early disciples, and what Cornelius was doing.

Those acts of love in turn glorify or Lord and Father in Heaven. That’s the kind of fruit that Father wants to see. The angel told Cornelius that those acts of love came up as a memorial offering before the Father. And those alms and kind deeds were definitely noticed.

The question can be asked, What kind of reputation do you have. Would they give a report about you as the Jews gave about Cornelius?

There’s a old saying that goes like this, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The saying appears to have started in the medical profession, emphasizing that caring for patients is just as important to them as a medical professional’s book knowledge. And I think the same is true for us who know the way to heaven and want to share it with others. A lot of people don’t care about what you know, and they won’t until we show how much we care.

Our acts of love open eyes and open hearts.

Sometimes people won’t thank you for your gifts, your help, and sometimes sacrifices.

But Don’t think that your good deeds go unnoticed by God. God took note of everything that this man was doing. Hebrews 6:10, the wrote,  “God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His Name.”

1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

My encouragement today: Continue to nurture your relationship with God. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. If you have to set specific time aside to do it.  He wants to have the relationship with you. He wants to bless you with His peace.

And I think the closer you get to Him the more you will find yourself helping those around you. His love will flow through you like water through a sponge.

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 6.19 and treasure in heaven

Matthew 6.19 and treasure in heaven

 A reader wondered about Matthew 6:19-20. "Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven." Does this suggest we are to serve in order to gain reward? I’m sure that’s not the Master’s point here. In fact the whole section (19-24) looks in the opposite direction and calls for a radical self-giving to God. Christ said we can’t serve God and money (the Semitic "mammon"—money or possessions). We can’t have our eye on two things. In saying we "can’t" serve God and possessions Christ is choosing his words carefully. It isn’t only that God won’t let us; it’s that in light of the relationship we would want with God it isn’t possible. Discipleship as imaged by the Son is a full self-surrender to God and leaving it to him to give us what he sees fit. It isn’t for us to work to supply our own needs as if God did not provide them. Those who trust themselves to God in trust have done with worry (6:25-34). The person who worries (in a distrustful sense—for not all "worry" is worry) and makes it is/her life’s aim to supply their own needs against every eventuality is trusting in the wrong things. They trust in themselves as the provider and they trust in the things they gain and in doing this they lose their way. Not only do they make the wrong things ultimate (clothes, food, possessions—6:25-32) since they are not ultimates, they lose sight of God in the process (6:33).

I'm sure that Jesus here is calling his followers to a way of thinking and acting that puts earthly possessions and success in their place. Such things do have their God-given place but they must always be viewed as serving the higher aspects of our entire existence. How we relate to God should shape how we relate to riches or success here in this phase of living and I'm sure that's what Jesus is saying about securing the future in light of heaven.

Wealth (or any other instrument of power) is given to us as stewards. We are not to lay up treasure for "ourselves" here on earth; we're to so use it that we will gain heaven's approval (be sure to see Luke 16:9-13). So the last thing on Jesus’ mind in this section is teaching about degrees of reward for services rendered and when he speaks of "treasure in heaven" he means "heavenly treasure," that is real or "true riches" (compare Luke 16:11) as over against mere passing possessions.

Discussion about what "heaven" entails will wait for another time; but the notion that rewards (in the sense of some kind of "possessions"—maybe status or some other benefit) rather than relationship are the central thrust of life with God (here or hereafter) is way off the mark. Life doesn’t consist of what you possess (Luke 12:15) but what you are; and this is true whether you live on earth or in heaven.

But the idea that we will serve God and not find ourselves rewarded (blessed) as a result of our service is nonsense. Of course we’ll be rewarded. Imagine thinking that a lovely marriage can come to its pinnacle of intimacy and honor and our not being richly blessed as the result of it? We know that serving God is rewarding and that in its completeness it is richly rewarding. We’re told that ahead of time and we can expect it to be fulfilled. But to say that is not to say that we should serve God so that we will be rewarded. When we think that way a distortion enters. Then we become hirelings, then we labor for an employer.

Finally, some people talk of "disinterested" service or worship of God. By this they mean service without thought of reward, service that is not given with the aim to gain reward. If that’s what we mean, it’s legitimate speech. But we shouldn’t pretend that we don’t think we will be rewarded—Christ says we will be! And since God is generous and gracious we know we experience blessing as a result of serving him. We might as well pretend that we don’t expect a loving and honorable friendship to have no reward. We know that such relationships result in our blessing. If God called us to willingly serve him and assured us that the better we served him the more he would torment us and that he would finally toss us in an eternal rubbish pit—if he assured us of that we wouldn’t serve him. Of course it’s a nonsense scenario but I just want to make the point that talk of "disinterested" service can be nonsense talk.

Let me summarise what I think on this one aspect of this text. The entire section calls for a way of seeing life that has as its driving centre the righteousness of the kingdom of heaven (kingdom of God)—6:33. This means we are not to hoard our wealth as if it could bring security for the future or as if we were not stewards of our wealth. It also means that we will be securing the future in the best possible way. Anything committed to heaven's (God's) keeping is secure and no theif or rust can devour it. When the time comes we'll find our treasure intact and we'll discover that is perfectly matches our heart's longings.

©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... Blessings Involving The Son (Ephesians 1:7-12)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"

                  Blessings Involving The Son (1:7-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. We saw in the previous lesson that Paul starts his epistle to the 
   Ephesians with praising God for the spiritual riches (blessings) that
   we have in Christ - Ep 1:3

2. Throughout Ep 1:4-14 Paul lists some of these wonderful blessings
   that are ours, and in verses 4-6 we saw those blessings which 
   center around the Father, how that we who are in Christ are:
   a. "Chosen by God", to be holy and without blame before Him in love 
      (1:4)
   b. "Predestined by God", to receive the adoption as sons of God 
      (1:5-6a)
   c. "Accepted by God", that is, to be highly favored by Him (1:6b)

3. How is it that we who are sinners are so blessed by God?
   a. The answer is hinted at in verses 4-6 by the repeated reference
      to Christ:
      1) "chose us IN HIM"
      2) "adoption as sons BY JESUS CHRIST"
      3) "made us accepted IN THE BELOVED"
   b. Thus it is only in and through Jesus Christ that we can receive 
      these wonderful blessings! (remember 1:3)

4. This becomes even clearer as we now consider verses 7-12, as Paul 
   expands upon "Blessings Involving The Son"...
   a. Please note that the distinction being made between blessings 
      involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a narrow one
   b. For truly each of the blessings described usually involve two or 
      more Persons in the Godhead
   c. But for memorization purposes it can be helpful to divide up the 
      blessings in the way we have done

[The first blessing we notice in this section is that through His 
Son...]

I. GOD HAS REDEEMED US (7a)

   A. DEFINING "REDEMPTION"...
      1. The Greek word is apolutrosis {ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis}
      2. It means "a releasing effected by payment of ransom"
      3. As Hendriksen defines it, "deliverance as a result of the
         payment of a ransom"
      4. Hendriksen goes on to suggest that this "redemption" implies:
         a. "emancipation...from the guilt, punishment, and power of
            sin" - cf. Jn 8:34; Ro 7:14; Ga 3:13
         b. "restoration to true liberty" - cf. Jn 8:36

   B. OUR REDEMPTION IS "THROUGH HIS (CHRIST'S) BLOOD"...
      1. The purchase price paid in order to redeem us was the blood of
         Jesus - cf. 1Pe 1:18-19
      2. By His death on the cross, Jesus has paid the price to deliver 
         us from the bondage of sin, for which He deserves our highest 
         praise! - cf. Re 5:9, 12

[We now see how God could carry out His choice to have a people who are 
holy and without blame, adopted as sons unto Him, when all He had to 
work with were "sinners".  Through the death of Jesus and the shedding 
of His blood, God was just to "redeem" or "deliver" sinners from the 
bondage of sin!

There is another way to express what God has done to make it possible
for us to be "holy and without blame before Him in love", and that is, 
through His Son...]

II. GOD HAS FORGIVEN US (7b-8)

   A. DEFINING "FORGIVENESS"...
      1. The Greek word is aphesis {af'-es-is}, and it's shades of 
         meaning include:
         a. "release from bondage or imprisonment"
         b. "forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they
            had never been committed), remission of the penalty"
      2. With the shedding of Jesus' blood, it is now possible to be 
         "forgiven", that is, "pardoned" so that we are no longer guilty
         of or imprisoned by sin

   B. WHAT HAS BEEN FORGIVEN ARE OUR "SINS" (TRESPASSES)...
      1. The Greek word here is paraptoma, {par-ap'-to-mah}
         a. Lit., it means "a side-slip (lapse or deviation)"
         b. Thus it refers to (unintentional) error or (willful) 
            transgression
      2. The very sort of things (faults, offenses, sins, trespasses) 
         that would keep us from being "holy and without blame"
      3. Through Jesus' blood, we can obtain "pardon" from such things,
         and be "holy and without blame"!

   C. THE BASIS FOR BOTH "REDEMPTION" AND "FORGIVENESS" IS GOD'S GRACE...
      1. "according to the riches of His grace" - 7c
      2. "which He made to abound toward us" - 8a
      3. As Paul told Titus, it is by God's mercy and grace we are
         justified - Tit 3:3-7
      4. This wonderful grace is manifested by God in all...
         a. "wisdom" - from the Greek word sophia, {sof-ee'-ah}
            1) Defined by Hendriksen as "that ability to apply knowledge
               to the best advantage, enabling a person to use the most 
               effective means for the attainment of the highest goal"
            2) In God's case, His wisdom is often beyond the capability
               of man to find out on his own - cf. Ro 11:33
         b. "prudence" - from the Greek word phronesis {fron'-ay-sis}
            1) Meaning "mental action or activity, i.e. intellectual or 
               moral insight: prudence, wisdom."
            2) With much thought God has chosen to show His grace toward
               us!

[According to His wisdom, prudence, and grace, God has provided 
"redemption" and "forgiveness" through the blood of His dear Son!

But there is more!  While God's wisdom is often beyond the ability of 
man to find out on his own, through His Son...]

III. GOD HAS REVEALED HIS WILL TO US (9-10)

   A. "HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL"...
      1. As explained by Paul later in this epistle (cf. Ep 3:3-5),
         this "mystery"...
         a. Was not made known to mankind in other ages - 3:5a
         b. But has now been revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and 
            prophets - 3:5b; Ro 16:25-27
      2. Making known the "mystery of His will" is due to "His good 
         pleasure which He purposed in Himself"
         a. It pleased God in planning to reveal His will to us
         b. Just as it please God in predetermining to adopt us as sons 
            through Jesus Christ - 1:5

   B. THE "WILL OF GOD" THAT IS NOW REVEALED PERTAINS TO WHAT GOD HAD
      PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH IN JESUS CHRIST...
      1. God's "plan" was to be carried out "in the dispensation of the
         fullness of the times"
         a. I.e., in the period of time when everything is right and 
            ready - cf. Ga 4:4-5
         b. Hendriksen suggests that the reference is to the entire New 
            Testament era...
            1) Particularly to the period which began with Christ's 
               resurrection and coronation
            2) But not ending until the Lord, upon His glorious return, 
               pronounces and executes judgment (New Testament 
               Commentary, Exposition of Ephesians, pp. 85-86)
      2. God's "plan" was to "gather together in one all things in 
         Christ..."
         a. B. W. Johnson comments:  "He might gather in one all things
            in Christ. That the scattered families and tribes of men, 
            both Jews and Gentiles, should all be gathered and united 
            under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels..."
         b. Paul elaborates upon this thought in Ep 2:16, and in 
            Col 1:19-22
            1) By the death of Christ, Jew and Gentile can become one 
               body
            2) By the blood of the cross, God is able to reconcile all 
               things to Himself
            3) The ultimate consequence of this "reconciliation" is that
               we might be presented "holy, and blameless, and 
               irreproachable in His sight" - Col 1:22; cf. Ep 1:4

[Finally, we also learn that through the Son....]

IV. GOD HAS GIVEN US AN INHERITANCE (11-12)

   A. "OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE" OR "MADE A HERITAGE"?
      1. Some translations and scholars understand that verse 11
         should read "we were made a heritage", speaking of God's 
         inheritance, with an appeal to:
         a. Ep 1:14b - where Paul speaks of "the redemption of the 
            purchased possession"
         b. Ep 1:18c - where Paul speaks of "His inheritance"
      2. Reasons for accepting the rendering found in the KJV and NKJV 
         are offered by Hendriksen:
         a. The immediate context speaks of "our inheritance" - Ep 
            1:14a
         b. In the NT "the inheritance" is ever said to be "ours" or 
            "intended for us" - Ac 20:32; Ga 3:18; Col 3:24; He 9:15; 
            1Pe 1:4 (including Ep 1:18c, where "His inheritance" 
            can mean that which God is giving to us)
         c. Ep 1:5 speaks of "adoption as sons", and in Ro 8:15-17 
            Paul connects the idea of adoption with that of being heirs
         d. In an epistle with many similarities to Ephesians, Paul 
            certainly speaks of how we are "heirs" - Col 1:12

   B. THIS INHERITANCE IS PART OF GOD'S "PREDESTINATION"...
      1. Just as God "predetermined" that those in Christ would receive 
         "adoption as sons" (Ep 1:5), so He "predetermined" that His 
         "sons" would receive an "inheritance"!
      2. This is in accordance with God's grand "purpose", who has the 
         power to "work all things according to the counsel of His will"

   C. THE FINAL RESULT IN RECEIVING THIS INHERITANCE...
      1. "that we...should be to the praise of His glory" 
         a. That "those in Christ" (and what God has made them) will be 
            a reason to give God glory
         b. As Paul wrote the Thessalonians:  "that the name of our Lord
            Jesus Christ may be glorified in you..." - 2Th 1:12
      2. Some understand that Paul is now beginning to distinguish 
         between those like himself (Jewish believers) and those like 
         his readers (Gentile believers), for a reason that will become 
         clear later (cf. Ep 2:11-22)
         a. For Paul speaks of "we who first trusted" in verse 12...
         b. ...and then says "you also trusted" in verse 13
      3. Even if so, one cannot make too much of this distinction...
         a. Because all that is said in verses 3-11 (where "we" is 
            found) applies to Gentile believers
         b. And all that is said in verses 13-14 (where "you" is 
            found) applies to Jewish believers also

CONCLUSION

1. In Christ, then, we have every reason to praise God, knowing that...
   a. God has redeemed us (7a)
   b. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
   c. God has revealed His Will to us (9-10)
   d. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)

2. But there is even more!  And in the next lesson we shall examine what
   that is, as we consider "Blessings Involving The Holy Spirit"

For the time being, have you experienced that wonderful redemption, the
forgiveness of sins, through the blood of Jesus?  The apostle Peter
tells how we can in Ac 2:36-41...

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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Sometimes a grand notion...

Ben Fronczek

The Article:

Are you a happy Christian?

The Song, by Rare Earth

I just want to celebrate

Pictures of the group "Rare Earth"

The Lyrics:

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life
I put my faith in the people
But the people let me down
So I turned the other way
And I carry on, anyhow
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living,
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Had my hand on the dollar bill
And the dollar bill blew away
But the sun is shining down on me
And it's here to stay
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of living
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down,
Don't let it turn you around and around
And around and around

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow
And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no
I'm using up my time by feeling fine, every day
That's why I'm telling you I just want to celebrate
Aw, yeah
I just want to celebrate yeah yeah
Another day of living, yeah yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of livin', yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no
Don't let it turn you around and around,
And around and around, and around
Around round round
'round and around round round round
don't go 'round

The Background:

Recently, a friend from The Northeast School Of Biblical Studies agreed to allow me to post his sermons from the website of the church he is working with in Granville, New York.  I expected to see outlines, but instead I encountered an article and frankly, it was one of those things that just "stuck". So, today, as I was going to the Post Office, I heard the "I just want to celebrate" song from 1971, it really started something!!!  Please do click on the links above, read his article, listen to the song- and then...

The Application of the Concept:

Be happy!!!

  This is what God desires for you and what Satan hates!!!

Something to Remember....

 1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 
  3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
  4  Blessed are those who mourn, 
for they shall be comforted.
  5  Blessed are the gentle, 
for they shall inherit the earth.
  6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
for they shall be filled. 
  7  Blessed are the merciful, 
for they shall obtain mercy. 
  8  Blessed are the pure in heart, 
for they shall see God. 
  9  Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they shall be called children of God. 
  10  Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

  11  “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.   12  Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

  13  “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.   14  You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.   15  Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.   16  Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Something to ask yourself...

Am I A HAPPY CHRISTIAN????

From Gary.... No, No, No is good for you!!!

I just happened to view this video today and it brought a smile to my face.  Hope it will to you as well.  The passage below was its obvious companion...

Proverbs, Chapter 22

 6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.

If children grow up to be upstanding citizens and parents, its because they we taught correctly.  And its work, hard work; but more than worthwhile.  Just a thought to ponder on my first afternoon in awhile without rain.  Hope it stays like that!!!

From Ben Fronczek.... Crazy In Love With God

Crazy In Love With God

Cornelius: The God-Fearing Gentile  (Part 1)
Acts 10

One of my favorite conversion stories in the Book of Acts is that of Cornelius.
But most of the time when we study Acts chapter 10 we seem to focused more on Peter than on Cornelius. I thought it is quite interesting how God chose to use Peter to be the first one to take the Gospel to the gentiles. But before he
could do that God had to help him overcome his ethnic and spiritual prejudices
so that he would accept Cornelius’ family and friends into the fellowship of the Church. Over the next couple of weeks I would like to bring you a few lessons centered around this man. I would like to talk more about Cornelius because he is truly an extraordinary man. He is a man that is worthy of our admiration, and should be imitated in so many ways.

Read: Acts 10   (Click on the link to read)

So what is so special about Cornelius?

Even though he is a Roman and a gentile, we see that he is a Courageous man of Faith.

At first glance, one may not recognize this or even the many details that are provided here about Cornelius and his background. But in all reality, we can glean quite a bit of information from the facts presented in the very first few verses of Chapter 10.

First of all, his name – Cornelius – it tells us that he was Italian. This was a very common Italian name.  Secondly, we are told that he was a Roman soldier. Not only was Cornelius a soldier, he was a fairly high-ranking officer. He was a Centurion. #3 According to Roman custom, this tells us that he was over thirty years old because it took 12 to 16 years of military service to be eligible for promotion to such a rank. Furthermore, being a Centurion we know that Cornelius must have been somewhat intelligent ; a man who had to have shown administrative skills along with combat leadership.

Even with the rank of centurion, scholars tell us that there were many grades or levels.  Most centurions commanded about 100 men, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.  (just like we have 1-5 star generals)

Many scholars believe that Cornelius was on the higher end of the ranking system of Centurions. I believe that the Scriptures lend support to that being the case in two ways: First, Cornelius had the authority, as we shall see in this passage, to dispatch a soldier on an obvious personal errand. A low ranking Centurion would never have had such authority. Secondly, Cornelius also enjoyed the presence of his family, in what appeared to be a really big house, a privilege granted only to those of the upper ranks.

Another thing we learn is that Cornelius was stationed at Caesarea, a coastal city about 60 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. Caesarea was the seat of Roman government in Palestine and Syria- a very important place. This is where the Roman governor was head-quartered. Some theorize that Cornelius’ Regiment – being entirely Italian – was responsible in part for the Roman governor’s security. At this time, Marcellus – Pontius Pilate’s successor – was governor.

We need to remember that Rome conquered the territories the New Testament calls Judea, Galilee and Samaria 60 years before the birth of Christ. The Jews therefore had a very negative opinion of the Romans.  Likewise their Roman masters, the Roman troops, did not particularly love their captives either, the Jews . So it is obvious that there is some real bad feeling between the Jews and the Romans; something the Peter and the early church had to overcome.

Because they were the conquerors, many Romans thought they were the superior civilization. They believed that they ruled the world because they alone were wise and powerful. They viewed most other people and their cultures as being inferior.

Many Roman soldiers and their officers shared that contempt for the peoples they conquered. Though officially prohibited, it was not uncommon for Roman troops to oppress the people they conquered and ruled over. There were cases where Roman soldiers were guilty of assaults and robberies. And in many cases, their officers, if they were not doing the same, would just turn a blind eye to such misdeeds.

But, what an amazing contrast we see here in Cornelius.
Cornelius seems devoid of this prejudice. It is evident that he did not look-down on the Jewish people. Rather than having ill feelings toward the Jewish race and their customs, he showed them courtesy and respect. As we shall see, he demonstrated this in many ways. However, his lack of arrogance and prejudice is most clearly apparent in him adopting the God of the conquered Jews.

We read that Cornelius was a believer and worshipper of the God of the Jews. He not only believe in Him, the text says he and his whole family were devout believers. He had obviously abandoned the gods of Rome and turned to the Lord, as the one true God.  I believe it is hard for us to totally appreciate Cornelius’ decision here.

All but the most educated Romans believed in many gods and goddesses. Serving and appeasing their multiple deities was a major element of Roman life. However, this was a bit of an obsession within the Roman military. Not honoring the gods, especially their god Mars, who was their god of war, was tantamount to treason. If they did not pay homage to Mars and if the other gods were not honored, they thought it would mean a defeat in battle.

Anywhere and everywhere the Roman Army went, they carried with them portable pagan shrines for worship and sacrifice. The Army’s religious rituals were extensive. And who do you suppose was responsible for ensuring that the troops were observing the necessary rites and ritual? The centurion.

Cornelius obviously rejected his cultural background. He courageously bucked the system by renouncing paganism and accepting the true Faith of the true God. That is impressive to me! Some of us have in a way done the same thing when we turned to the truth of the Gospel and away from traditional family religious beliefs. Sometimes it can cause some real problems.

Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world was looking for the Pharisee and Apostle, Paul. He eventually met up with Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Entering the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.” “Did you not guess?” replied Timothy. “Paul is in love.” The merchant looked bewildered. “In love?” “Yes,” the merchant answered, “Paul is in love with Jesus Christ.” The merchant looked even more bewildered. “Is that all?” Smiling, Timothy replied, “Sir, that is everything!”

What man wouldn’t rush to his lover’s side if she were surrounded by thugs? What parent wouldn’t try to protect their children whom they love.  Our Love is a powerful ally, giving us strength when nothing else can. I believe Paul’s love for Jesus is what gave him the strength to do all that he did.

And I also believe that even though he was a gentile, Cornelius had somehow learned about our God and fell in love with Him. I am sure it changed his life in ways he never expected. The man that was trained to kill and conquer and protect the concerns of the Roman Empire in the name of his deified Caesar, and in the name of the Roman Gods was now acting more like a Christian than a Roman.

Did Cornelius understand the potential consequence of his actions, his change of loyalty? Of giving up his pagan Roman gods?   I cannot help but believe so.  Even though the great persecution of the church  by the Romans hadn’t begun yet, his change of loyalties I’m sure would have not set well with Rome.

So what lesson from all this can we take from this today?  It is simple yet powerful one: The more you love Jesus, the more you love God, and the closer the relationship you have with Him, and the more you commune with Him, the more He will change your life. And the more strength you will have. When it comes to doing things for God, you will be more courageous, more assertive, more accepting, less prejudice, even more generous.

Our increasing love for God will prompt us to do things we never thought possible. That’s what happened in this man, and God took notice of it and sends an angel to him with a message letting him know that God was pleased with him.

If you really, really love God, you will love….. the things of God; His people, His word, His way, His will, and He will begin to shine and work through you.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said it before, but Christianity is not just being religious; about going to church, and following a bunch of rules of what you can do and what you can’t do. I believe the very heart  of Christianity is having that close and intimate relationship with God,
with Jesus.

Maybe this all seems dull and uninteresting to you… going to church every week, doing the same things week after week, feeling obligated to pray and read the Bible…

Let me ask you this, do you think you have a relationship with God like Cornelius had?  It said that he was devoted, he prayed regularity, he went out of his was to show mercy and generosity even to his enemy.  And he wasn’t even a Christian…yet.  I believe he didn’t feel obligated, rather he was in love with our Lord!

My encouragement is this, first and foremost, do whatever it takes to fall in love with our Lord. Maybe you never did. Maybe you became a Christian because you wanted to go to heaven and not hell. Maybe you just felt obligated because you knew it was the right thing to do. I don’t think that’s enough.  And I think that’s why so many of us are weak, insecure, half committed, and sometimes afraid to step out on faith. It is because we are doing it for the wrong reason. Rather than doing something because we are crazy in love with God, we do it for a hundred other reasons.

You just may need to spend more time alone with Him, and talk to Him, or read from His word and about the things He did with other people. Realize that He wants to have that close relationship with you.  Listen to music and lessons on the radio or on your computer that moves your heart closer to Him. And it just may surprise you what will happen in your life.