John 10:14-15 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me –just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
In biblical times, being a shepherd was a very common job. The shepherd would spend all day with his sheep. He would even sleep with his sheep to make sure they were protected. Shepherds led their sheep, they didn’t coral them or walk behind them when they travelled. And they knew each sheep by name. The sheep also knew the voice of their shepherd and would not follow a stranger. The shepherd would lead his flock from place to place to find food and water. It was during these walks around the countryside, that the sheep were in danger of straying from the flock. When a sheep is away from the care of his shepherd, he is vulnerable to attack. But when the Shepherd is nearby, he protects his sheep even unto death. A good shepherd would also leave his flock to go and look for that one little lost sheep. And when the shepherd found him, he would safely bring him back to the flock where the sheep continued to live under the shepherd’s care.
For a number of years, I was that little lost sheep. I had strayed looking for greener grass. And now when I look back at that time of my life, I realize that I didn’t really know my Shepherd much at all. I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him, so when He called my name, my ears weren’t trained to hear His voice. But Jesus has a way of bringing you back. He restored me to Himself and now, I know His voice. It’s so much easier not to go astray when I connect with my Good Shepherd every day.
So, are you lost? Have you strayed? Are you enticed by the green grass on the other side of the hill, away from the protection of your Shepherd? Do you know His voice? He knows where you are, and He knows that you are worth dying for. As a matter of fact, He already did. The Good Shepherd is calling your name. Follow Him.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Why did God allow the massive death in Haiti?
When tragedies like the earthquake in Haiti occur, killing thousands of people, some might question why God would allow so much death? I can’t say that I understand completely why God allows what He allows, because who can completely understand the sovereignty of God? God is the supreme authority, and He doesn’t have to explain Himself to me. I know that He is a loving God, and wants what is best for us. But we can’t play God thinking that we know what is best for someone about when their time should come to an end. Maybe death now would save someone from some other situation that would be worse had they continued in life. God knows the big picture, and part of faith is trusting that God is using those things that are hard for us to understand to bring about good.
I can relate to this situation personally because twenty two years ago, my sister took her own life. Why would God allow that? I believe that just like the Haitians who died, my sister’s death had a purpose. Her death actually started me back on the road to God. I had strayed from God after my parent’s divorce, and her death brought about my desire to seek God. That process has changed me more than I can ever explain. And in the process of changing, I believe that I will touch the lives of others for God in a way that I might never have done had she still been alive today. I also think her death kept her from going down a road to destruction that could have had eternal implications. As difficult as it was on me and my family, God had a purpose in the timing of her death.
For the Haitians, I believe that those whose lives ended will affect others in a positive way that we may never understand. So perhaps we can look at it as God has a purpose for those who died, which will touch others who saw their death, but in a different way than we could ever imagine or comprehend.
I can relate to this situation personally because twenty two years ago, my sister took her own life. Why would God allow that? I believe that just like the Haitians who died, my sister’s death had a purpose. Her death actually started me back on the road to God. I had strayed from God after my parent’s divorce, and her death brought about my desire to seek God. That process has changed me more than I can ever explain. And in the process of changing, I believe that I will touch the lives of others for God in a way that I might never have done had she still been alive today. I also think her death kept her from going down a road to destruction that could have had eternal implications. As difficult as it was on me and my family, God had a purpose in the timing of her death.
For the Haitians, I believe that those whose lives ended will affect others in a positive way that we may never understand. So perhaps we can look at it as God has a purpose for those who died, which will touch others who saw their death, but in a different way than we could ever imagine or comprehend.
Monday, January 18, 2010
I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
I’m not talking about dead people the way the world thinks of dead people. I am talking about my neighborhood, your neighborhood, our city, our state and even our churches. In 1 Corinthians 15:22 we are told “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” So if we have been made alive in Christ, what does that make people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior? Dead people.....right? If you’re not alive, you’re dead. The book of Ephesians tells us that at one time we were all dead in our transgressions and sins, but because of Gods’ mercy and because we have accepted Christ as our savior, we are no longer dead in our sins, but we are alive in Christ. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:1-5 (NIV).
If you have been made alive by Christ, you also see dead people. You’ve heard the saying, when people die; they are to look for the light and go into it. Well, maybe that’s just a metaphor, meaning that as Christians we are to help “dead” people find the true light. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (NIV)
If you have been made alive by Christ, you also see dead people. You’ve heard the saying, when people die; they are to look for the light and go into it. Well, maybe that’s just a metaphor, meaning that as Christians we are to help “dead” people find the true light. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (NIV)
Monday, January 11, 2010
I TELL YOU THE TRUTH
How many times has someone told you this? If someone has told you this, how do you know that person was telling you the truth? Is it because of the sincere look in their eyes? Is it by the urgency in their voice? If someone constantly says to you “I tell you the truth,” do you tend to believe that person?
I searched on the phrase “I tell you the truth” at www.biblegateway.com and found that in the New International version, Jesus used this phrase at least 80 times! Now why would He say that.....so often? Unless of course, what He had to say was the truth. When I read these words from Jesus....”I tell you the truth”.....I sense the urgency in His voice, His sincere urgency to get His message across to us. What is His message? In John 14:6, he tells us "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There He goes using that word again, only this time, He says that He is the TRUTH.....and the WAY......and the LIFE! What in the world is Jesus saying? Well, this passage tells me that Jesus is the true and only way for me to spend all of eternity with God. It also tells me that with Jesus as my savior, I finally have life. In John 10:10, Jesus says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
As surely as I hear the urgency in His voice when He says “I tell you the truth,” I also, hear the sincerity when He says “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4. Dare I say that if you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal savior that you still know the way to the place that He is going! Either you just don’t want to admit it, or you don’t want to believe it, or you honestly don’t know how to get to that place. It’s a matter of whether you really believe Jesus when He says in Matthew 18:3, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When you say to a child, "I tell you the truth", that child tends to accept your words at face value. The child doesn’t analyze what you say, the child doesn’t go and discuss it with friends, the child usually says ok, believes and then picks up his or her toy and continues to play. It’s a matter of faith, you either believe or you don’t. Think about it.
Dear Father God,
My sincere prayer to You today is that all who read this may find You and come to know Your son Jesus as his or her personal savior. I pray that you guide each person in the direction that You want that person to go, that you wrap your arms around them and protect them from the evil one. Father, there are people out there reading this that has accepted Your Son as their savior, but they have wandered away from You. My prayer is that You reach out and guide them back to You, just as you did me. For the people reading this, that just don’t know You, I pray Lord that you send your Holy Spirit to guide them to you. In Your Son’s precious name, I pray. AMEN
All verses taken from the New International version.
I searched on the phrase “I tell you the truth” at www.biblegateway.com and found that in the New International version, Jesus used this phrase at least 80 times! Now why would He say that.....so often? Unless of course, what He had to say was the truth. When I read these words from Jesus....”I tell you the truth”.....I sense the urgency in His voice, His sincere urgency to get His message across to us. What is His message? In John 14:6, he tells us "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There He goes using that word again, only this time, He says that He is the TRUTH.....and the WAY......and the LIFE! What in the world is Jesus saying? Well, this passage tells me that Jesus is the true and only way for me to spend all of eternity with God. It also tells me that with Jesus as my savior, I finally have life. In John 10:10, Jesus says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
As surely as I hear the urgency in His voice when He says “I tell you the truth,” I also, hear the sincerity when He says “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4. Dare I say that if you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal savior that you still know the way to the place that He is going! Either you just don’t want to admit it, or you don’t want to believe it, or you honestly don’t know how to get to that place. It’s a matter of whether you really believe Jesus when He says in Matthew 18:3, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When you say to a child, "I tell you the truth", that child tends to accept your words at face value. The child doesn’t analyze what you say, the child doesn’t go and discuss it with friends, the child usually says ok, believes and then picks up his or her toy and continues to play. It’s a matter of faith, you either believe or you don’t. Think about it.
Dear Father God,
My sincere prayer to You today is that all who read this may find You and come to know Your son Jesus as his or her personal savior. I pray that you guide each person in the direction that You want that person to go, that you wrap your arms around them and protect them from the evil one. Father, there are people out there reading this that has accepted Your Son as their savior, but they have wandered away from You. My prayer is that You reach out and guide them back to You, just as you did me. For the people reading this, that just don’t know You, I pray Lord that you send your Holy Spirit to guide them to you. In Your Son’s precious name, I pray. AMEN
All verses taken from the New International version.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Blind Now See
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found - was blind, but now, I see.
What must the blind man have thought as this man, who he decided must have been a prophet, pressed mud on his eyes and then sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam? Jesus didn't tell the man that he would be healed. He merely put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash. Perhaps the man thought he had nothing to lose, so he went to the pool of Siloam, which means "sent" and he washed. The man certainly was "sent" to the pool. But not only that, Jesus was "sent" to the man. Jesus was sent so that blind eyes would be opened. Jesus found the man twice - once to heal his physical body, and once to heal him spiritually. The man was lost and then found, blind and then could see. That's the same thing Jesus wants for us today. He finds us as we blindly search with outstretched arms for the things of this world, and then He opens our eyes to see that what we really need is Him. The man who had been blind came to know that Jesus was the Son of Man and his Lord, and he worshiped Jesus. What are you blindly grasping for? Are your eyes open to who Jesus is? Jesus was not only sent to this man, but He has been sent to you as well. He is sending you off so that you can wash and receive your sight. Receive Jesus as your Lord, open your eyes and see!
What must the blind man have thought as this man, who he decided must have been a prophet, pressed mud on his eyes and then sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam? Jesus didn't tell the man that he would be healed. He merely put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash. Perhaps the man thought he had nothing to lose, so he went to the pool of Siloam, which means "sent" and he washed. The man certainly was "sent" to the pool. But not only that, Jesus was "sent" to the man. Jesus was sent so that blind eyes would be opened. Jesus found the man twice - once to heal his physical body, and once to heal him spiritually. The man was lost and then found, blind and then could see. That's the same thing Jesus wants for us today. He finds us as we blindly search with outstretched arms for the things of this world, and then He opens our eyes to see that what we really need is Him. The man who had been blind came to know that Jesus was the Son of Man and his Lord, and he worshiped Jesus. What are you blindly grasping for? Are your eyes open to who Jesus is? Jesus was not only sent to this man, but He has been sent to you as well. He is sending you off so that you can wash and receive your sight. Receive Jesus as your Lord, open your eyes and see!
Monday, January 4, 2010
God's Promise To Me
It’s the New Year and with it comes the dreaded resolution making process! I’ve made resolutions for years and every year I have broken the resolution within a couple of months. This new year, I haven’t even attempted to make a resolution, why should I? I’ll just break it anyway. A resolution is it a promise that we make to ourselves. Does anyone ever keep ALL of their promises? Well, yes....God does.
When God makes a promise He has no one greater than Himself to swear by, so therefore he puts His own reputation on the line and swears by Himself that He will keep his promises (Hebrews 6:13-15 NIV). Throughout the Bible (old and new testaments) God has made promise after promise and none have EVER failed (Joshua 23:14 NIV).
God has made a promise to me, I love this promise and I hold this promise dearly. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV), God tells me “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” God is promising me that He KNOWS the plans he has for me and because He uses the word DECLARES tells me that He is staking His reputation on the fact that He will never break this promise to me! Do you know how comforting that is to me? To know that the God of creation has plans for me! Plans to take care of me, to give me not only hope, but assurance of eternal life with Him and that He has my future all planned out! He is also telling me that if I pray to him, that He will LISTEN to me! How awesome is that? The God of heaven hears me when I pray and if I look for Him that I will always find Him! He is always accessible to me.....amazing! I’m taken care of.....no question about it.
God never breaks promises and he is always with us....that’s right.....if you have accepted Christ as your savior, then He gives you the same promise. He has your life all planned out! He doesn’t promise us a rose garden, but He does promise us peace as we go through this life (Psalms 85:8 NIV). Jesus gave a promise to His disciples and that same promise applies to all believers today, He is with us......ALWAYS! “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NIV). Trust me, when God makes you a promise He will never break it!
When God makes a promise He has no one greater than Himself to swear by, so therefore he puts His own reputation on the line and swears by Himself that He will keep his promises (Hebrews 6:13-15 NIV). Throughout the Bible (old and new testaments) God has made promise after promise and none have EVER failed (Joshua 23:14 NIV).
God has made a promise to me, I love this promise and I hold this promise dearly. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV), God tells me “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” God is promising me that He KNOWS the plans he has for me and because He uses the word DECLARES tells me that He is staking His reputation on the fact that He will never break this promise to me! Do you know how comforting that is to me? To know that the God of creation has plans for me! Plans to take care of me, to give me not only hope, but assurance of eternal life with Him and that He has my future all planned out! He is also telling me that if I pray to him, that He will LISTEN to me! How awesome is that? The God of heaven hears me when I pray and if I look for Him that I will always find Him! He is always accessible to me.....amazing! I’m taken care of.....no question about it.
God never breaks promises and he is always with us....that’s right.....if you have accepted Christ as your savior, then He gives you the same promise. He has your life all planned out! He doesn’t promise us a rose garden, but He does promise us peace as we go through this life (Psalms 85:8 NIV). Jesus gave a promise to His disciples and that same promise applies to all believers today, He is with us......ALWAYS! “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 NIV). Trust me, when God makes you a promise He will never break it!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Welcome to "A Cord of Three" Blog
Our name, A Cord of Three, is based on our belief in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Because of our belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and our relationship with Him, we feel led to build His kingdom through...
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