What are you saying from your platform?

I recently shared a video on Facebook of an interview with Jase Robertson, who is one of the stars from the A&E TV reality show “Duck Dynasty.”  During this interview Jase said something to the affect of “What you do is the platform for your faith.”  This was a simple yet profound statement describing how everything we do in life is a statement about what we believe.  ALL of our thoughts, speech, and actions say something about what we believe about God, his son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit or anything else that we hold beliefs about.  They speak to our belief in the salvation offered by Jesus’ death on the Cross and His victory over death through the resurrection on the 3^rd day. 

This comment by Jase reminded me of a couple passages from the Bible: the first is James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, WHAT GOOD IS IT?  In the same way, FAITH by itself, if it is NOT accompanied by ACTION, is DEAD.

             Faith is not just a decision to believe in a statement or a cause or, in this case, God.  Faith is a way of life.  Faith demands Action!!  If there is no action as a result of one’s faith, then their really is no faith.   That so-called faith is dead; in fact, there is a good chance it never even existed in the first place. I need to note that the true state of one’s heart upon acknowledgment of Jesus as Savior is not a judgment for me or any other man or woman to make, BUT the grace bestowed upon us, if our hearts are truly submitted to Christ, prompts us to action.  And “actions speak louder than words.”  The Apostle Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:14 “For Christ’s love compels us [to action], because we are convinced that one died for all and therefore all died”. [my emphasis]

             The second passage I’m reminded of is John 13:34-35:

Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this ALL MEN will know that you are MY disciples, if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

             My point is this; if “what you do is a platform for your faith”, then what exactly are you saying from your platform?  Are you saying, “Jesus is the King of my life”?  Or are you saying, “I’m the King and what I say goes”?  I can guarantee that you say one of these two things by your actions everyday.  Your words might claim Jesus as Lord, but what do your actions claim?  What are you preaching from your platform with your actions?

Day 5 - John 5: Jesus defends himself for doing God's will

This Study is from John 5 and yet again as will be for the next few chapters we see a long chapter with 47 verses. 

An "Illegal" Healing (verses 1-15)
     Jesus is in Jerusalem at the Temple and takes notice of a man who has been paralyzed for 38 years lying beside the pool called Bethsada.  The pool supposedly gets churned from time to time by an angel of God and those needing healed would rush to get into the pool first, because the first one in would be healed of whatever ailed them.  This man because of his paralyzed state couldn't get into the pool without help so he never made it in.  Jesus comes to him and simply tells him to "Pick up his mat and walk" and he does.
     The problem with what he did was that it was sinful according to the Jewish law to work on the sabbath and carrying your mat was apparently considered work.  Its eventually found out that Jesus is the one who basically told the man to break the law, never-mind the fact that he healed him of a 38 year paralysis. 

     When you think about it, the incredible legalism of these Jewish leaders is absolutely astounding.  They are completely missing the fact that this guy was just FULLY healed of a 38 year paralysis and instead they are focusing on the fact that he was healed (which is considered work for the healer) on the Sabbath and then followed the instruction of Jesus to work on the Sabbath by picking up his mat and walk. 
     As incredibly frustrating as the reactions of these Jewish leaders are, if you spend some time looking back on your life I bet you could find moments when you were just as blind to something great that someone did.  But because they did it in a way you didn't like or maybe because of who it actually was that the great thing you ignored the accomplishment and persecuted them in whatever way to chose to do so and made yourself just as guilty and legalistic as these Jewish leaders.
     The thing to remember here is that God can and will use anyone he wants and any circumstance to do his work and fulfill his plans.  We may not like how he does it; in fact, we probably won't like his ways more than we do like his ways because his ways usually make us get very uncomfortable and his ways usually test us beyond our own perceived capabilities and comforts.  What we have to remember is that we as Christians are simply called to continually seek the will of God and continually do the work of God as he is continually working in, through, and around us.  

Jesus Claims Divinity (verses 16-30)
      Jesus gets persecuted for his "illegal healing" and in response he tells his accusers that he is simply doing exactly what his Father in Heaven is doing which is always working.  Jesus is literally claiming to be the Son of God; this is a statement that probably further enrages these Jewish leaders into a frenzy.  Now they not only have him for breaking the Sabbath, but they also have him for blaspheme...Calling himself God (the nerve of this guy)...Jesus even goes so far as to say that he is not only the Son of God and therefore divine himself, but that God the Father has given him the power and authority to be the judge over the world and the eternities of all men.   

Jesus Defends His Actions (verses 31-47)
     Essentially what Jesus does in this section is say, "Look, my words about who I am and what am doing don't really mean anything.  Instead of worrying about my words...pay attention to what I am doing.  What I do speaks volumes about who I am.  If I wasn't who I say I am, I couldn't do all I am doing.  It is by the Father that I do what I do, because it is he who gives me the ability to do what I do."  

     Although this section is about Jesus spending time defending who he is, I think we should be reminded of something extremely important with regards to our Christian walks.  Jesus states that is because of what he does that his words are proven true.  It is by his actions that we can know he is who he says he is.  This should be an example to us as Christians that it is through our actions that we prove or disprove our identity as followers of Christ.  If think, speak, and act out of Love for God than it will be impossible for anyone who spends time with us to mistake where our allegiance lies, because we simply cannot help thinking, speaking, and acting in the name of Jesus.  


Jesus did what he did to Give GLORY TO GOD.  We are here for the same purpose.  In all things to God be the Glory!!!   

Day 4: John 4 - Jesus, healer to all people

Please forgive me for my hiatus over the last week.  There have been some things happen that didn't really permit me the time I need to write these daily blogs for study.  So, for the current time being I will do my best to catch us up and do as many of these studies as I can per day till we are back on track.  Hopefully you have been reading as planned (1 chapter in John per day) and you can simply read these studies and review what you've read as I write and post them.  Once again I'm sorry for getting so behind.  

JOHN 4: (read the chapter here)
 This is a long chapter, 54 verses in all, and as is with most chapters in John it is loaded.  I will try and keep the content of this post as short and to the point as possible so it isn't a massive undertaking to read. 

The Samaritan Woman (verses 1-26, 39-42):
     Jesus was creating quite a stir in Judea and not wanting to do this yet, he and his apostles left the area and headed back to Galilee.  To do this from Judea they had to go through Samaria which is where the Samaritans lived.  Samaritans where like the Jew's reject cousins.  They were all related way back in the family tree, but they hated each other.  And this point is important to remember going forward.  Jesus stops at a well in Sychar (a town in Samaria) at about the 6th hour (that would be Noon/12pm) and a woman comes to the well while he is there.  This is BIG...woman in this day typically went to the wells for water in the morning; partially because it was cool, but it was also like their social hour.  It was a time for the woman of the town to meet, chat, gossip, etc.  This woman apparently was not welcome at the well in the morning, we'll find out why in the next few verses.  
     Jesus asks the woman for a drink of water...STOP...a big deal here; Jesus, a JEW, asks a SAMARITAN (most Jews hate Samaritans)...WOMAN (men did not chat with woman they weren't married to, it was even considered by some to be stooping below yourself to look a woman in the eye that wasn't your wife)...for a drink of water.  This was a massive NO-NO for a Jewish man, and the woman knows it and calls him out on it in verse 9.  But Jesus had a reason (as he always does), he tells here she should actually be the one asking him for a drink, because the water he has gives everlasting life and she will never go thirsty again.  She thinks he is still actually talking about literal water and asks him for this water so she'll never be thirsty again and have to come to the well everyday.
     Before "giving her" this water; Jesus needs to address a problem, rather a sin in her life.  So he tells her to go get her husband, which he knows she has none.  He tells her she has in fact had five husbands and currently is living with a man who is not her husband (now we see why she isn't welcome at the well in the mornings).  She is shocked at his knowledge and understanding he is someone who is very close to God (she says a "prophet") she asks him a religious question about the appropriate places to worship God.  Jesus' response is that soon there will not be a need for a place to worship properly, because true worship will take place through the Spirit (referring to the Holy Spirit).  The woman responds, acknowledging that she knows about the coming Messiah and that when he comes he will make all things clear and understandable to all people; Jesus says: "he's here, and I am he!!"  
     In verse 27-30 Jesus' Disciples return and the woman runs off and tells everyone she knows about Jesus; then jumping ahead to verse 39-42 we see that because of the woman's testimony about Jesus many people come to meet him, hear him speak and believe in his teachings and who he says he is.  In fact, they ask him to stay as their guests for more time and he stays for 2 more days.  

   
Teaching the Disciples (verses 27-38):
     Back to verses 27-38; Jesus' disciples return and the woman runs off to tell everyone about her encounter with Jesus.  The disciples are somewhat stunned at Jesus for having this private conversation with a Woman...a Samaritan Woman (as we often are today, the disciples were often caught up in keeping a certain public profile and reputation that they thought would appeal to "everyone").  Despite their surprise no one dare call Jesus out on this because they knew better.  
     After the woman ran off the disciples tried to get Jesus to eat and he says, I don't need food because I have food that you know nothing about.  Jesus says, I survive on the nourishment of doing the will of my father who sent me.  Then in verse 35-38 he says something that has puzzled me as to what he is actually talking about.  1) On one level I think he is trying to get it through his followers heads that now, here, in Samaria is a time to love people and bring them to my father, because he wants all people to be his followers, not just Jews.  Jesus is showing his followers that he is not here just for Jews, he is here to bring salvation to the entire world.  2) But on another level, I think he may simply be trying to tell them that many people participate in the work of God.  Some people do the sewing of the gospel seed into the hearts of the world and other people do the watering and still others  may actually get to see the fruit of all that work come to bear.  3) But he also makes it pretty clear in verse 38 that the hard work is done for us...the hard work of the teaching the Law (Moses and the Rabbis), preaching repentance (the Prophets of the OT and John the Baptist), and even more so the hard work of Jesus dying on the Cross and Rising from the dead wiping all sins of the earth away.

***Like I said, this chapter is loaded***  

 Healing an Official's Son (verses 43-54)
      Here Jesus returns to his home region of Galilee, specifically Cana (which was basically home, very near Nazareth).  While there an Official, a royal official (meaning, again probably not a JEW), comes to Jesus and asks him, in fact begs him to come heal his son in Capernum (a major city in Galilee).  Something of note to mention here, this royal official heard Jesus was in Cana, and came out from the big city to find him in the country region of Cana to BEG him to come heal his son.  Jesus tells the people near him, I think maybe with some frustration in his heart, that unless they see him do miracles they will not believe.
      So what does Jesus do...he tells the guy go home your son will be healed and on the way home a servant meets the official to tell him his son is well and they discover that it was actually at the same time Jesus told him his son would be healed that was healed all the way over in Capernum.  This healing is interesting to because Jesus tells the people that they need to see miracles in order to believe in him, but the then he does a miracle they can't see, so they and the official have to take him at his word that he does what he says he is doing.  

Jesus cares for, has compassion on, heals, and saves those that we (his followers) think he should have no business even talking to.  This is the "upside-down Gospel", Jesus upside-down way of doing things.  It's upside-down to us, but we are actually the ones who need to change our point of view. 

"Give me you eyes for just one second; Give me your eyes so I can see everything that I've keep missing. Give me your LOVE for Humanity."  -Brandon Heath-  
 

Day 3 - John 3: Water & Spirit

So, after driving the 10 or so hours from Cincinnati back to Elberton yesterday, unloading from the trip and winding down from the drive I was not able to get the December 3rd study on John 3 done yesterday.  SO, today is a double dose.  They will be separate blog posts, but I intend to drop both today.  For those of you that are doing better than I am and did read yesterday and have been waiting patiently, thanks for bearing with me while I was on vacation.  Here we go with John 3
 
Today's Reading is from John 3.  The first section covers verses 1-21: 

    This first section contains in it probably the most famous and most quoted scripture worldwide.  And we'll get to it soon, but I don't want to jump to it first like a kid in a candy store,  I want to work towards it like an art lover in a museum, appreciating all the great art surrounding it and making it what it is.  This section begins with Nicodemus who is a Jewish religious leader; he is a Pharisee; he is someone who knew the Jewish Law backwards and forwards and probably would have had his own followers and disciples like Jesus.  But he comes to Jesus in secret, at night, so he won't be seen by his pharisee buddies belittling himself by going to Jesus the "Rebel Rabbi" for teaching.  
     First, he admits that the pharisees know that Jesus comes by the power of God (this is the first step of salvation by the way, believing Jesus is who he says he is); next Jesus seems to interrupt him and tell him that you have to be "born again" in order to see the Kingdom of God.  Nicodemus is confused because he assumes Jesus is speaking literally, meaning physically being born again.  But Jesus is speaking of a spiritual birth; he says, "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit."  Now some people have read this and assumed Jesus is speaking about being baptized then being filled with the Holy Spirit; but Jesus is literally talking about being born of water, (actual child-birth includes a lot of water) that is the first birth.  Then being born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, upon acceptance of Jesus as Savior, makes us brand new beings, cleansed of our sins upon faith in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are "new creations" upon our acceptance of Jesus as Savior.  This is what Jesus means by birth of Water & Spirit.  
     Then Jesus goes on to tell us how this new birth is made possible in the most well-known verse in the Bible, John 3:16.  One final thing I want to comment on before moving to the next section is a verse that is often overlooked, but honestly just as powerful and it happens to be John 3:17.  But you need to read both 16 & 17 together to get the full effect (Go ahead and read them now).  
     So often the Church as a whole is misunderstood by the world and seen as a giant finger pointing out the wrongs and the misbehaviors of the world, but verse 17 shows us that the purpose of the church is exactly the same as the purpose of Jesus, "not to condemn the world, but to bring it to salvation" THROUGH CHRIST!!!  And how do we accomplish this...by getting people to a place where they can meet Jesus, namely CHURCH.  Not by forcing it down there throats, rather by loving them, caring for them, having a strong friendship with them.  People don't care about what or how much you know until they know how much you care.  You will never debate or argue someone into a relationship with Jesus, (in the words of Taylor Swift) you will NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER get them and Jesus together by arguing.   It is love that opens the door, and not just love for those who don't know Jesus yet, but also unfailing love for fellow believers, Jesus said in John 13:34-35 in order for the world to know you are my followers you have got to show love to one another.  I think the world has gotten tired of watching the church as a whole fighting in and amongst itself; that one issue alone, and the resulting problems it creates, is probably the biggest reason why so many people want nothing to do with the church once they've experienced the so-called "Love" of church members.  

Okay I need to move on...verses 22-36 is a quick look into an argument that John the Baptist had to be brought in on to settle.  And it was basically over the growing popularity of Jesus and the waning(lessening) popularity of John.  The key thing I want to mention here is what John says about how he views the popularity he once had...in verse 30; he says "He (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less."  This single verse could be and truly should THE life verse for every person who claims to be a Christian, who claims to follow Jesus.  Our entire society is built around making myself greater; really, its about making myself the only priority.  John tells us the opposite should be true.  We must become less; in fact, we need to live as if we have nothing that we need.  Our needs should simply be the needs of Jesus.  When we see with his eyes, think with his mind, and love with his heart then nothing else matters except everyone else and their needs.  That's exactly how Jesus lived his life.  Check out what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-34 for more on this subject.  Selfless love is what we are called to; "He must become Greater; I must become Less."  This is a verse to live by, give it an honest shot and I guarantee you will never lack for what you really truly need.  

I think that's plenty for now.  But I'll catch you later today in my post on John 4.  So read it and be ready for more of what God has to say to us today!!!

Day 2: John 2 - Jesus Goes Public

Just a note/suggestion I should have made yesterday: I would encourage you to always read the chapter of the day before getting into my writings and ramblings so you have a basic knowledge of what I will be talking about.  Then as you read what I've written go back and reread the sections of the chapter I'm talking about.  Typically I will work through the chapters in sections and rereading the sections as I talk about them will help you follow my thoughts as you read them. 

Chapter 2 of John gives a description of Jesus' first recorded miracle (verses 1-11); he and his disciples/apostles are at a wedding in the town/city of Cana and his mother, Mary, is there as well.  While at the wedding the wine runs out and Mary pushes Jesus (because he knows what he can do) into providing the wine for the rest of the wedding party.  Although he seems hesitant, Jesus miraculously turns over 120 gallons of water into the best wine provided at the party.  In fact, the wine is so good that the master of the banquet, who is probably at least a little tipsy, can tell that this wine is better than any other wine they had served that day (the idea is when you get drunk you can't tell good alcohol from the cheap stuff, but this wine was so good you could tell a difference).  
     I think it is interesting that Jesus' first recorded miracle is providing drunk people with more alcohol.  But there is something here I want to make a point of mentioning.  Despite the seemingly simple and almost pointless nature of the miracle there is a quick comment that I have never heard mentioned in a Bible Study or by a preacher (doesn't mean it has never been said, I'm not that smart, I've just never heard it said).  In verse 11 the author John (on of Jesus' apostle; meaning he was there for this) tells us:

¹¹ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The key for this story, I think, is seen here at the very end, "and his disciples believed him".  A quick little statement by John giving us some big insight into why Jesus reluctantly went along with his mother's request to miraculously provide the wine for the rest of this party.  His disciples needed something to grab their attention.  His disciples needed to see the Glory of God revealed through him.  If you remember back to the end of chapter 1 verse 50, Jesus told Nathanael that he would see even greater things than this"?   Maybe the disciples hearing Jesus make that statement to Nathanael were waiting for something greater to happen.  Maybe they were kind of hanging on by a thread waiting for Jesus to prove himself as to why they should be following him, and so Jesus gives them something; not his biggest or most amazing miracle he will do, but pretty cool nonetheless.

Verses 12-25 is John's account of Jesus clearing the temple.  Here we see Jesus' disdain for people who claim to be "of God" misusing the temple, "God's House" for personal gain.  That very thing happens way too much today as well and I'm sure Jesus has great frustration and pain when this happens today.  The church is not here for our personal gain, we are here for the gain of the church and the body of Christ.  I don't have as much to say about this section, but that doesn't mean it isn't as important.  I think this section is extremely important it reminds us we are NOT to take God for granted, he may just come along, clean house, and wreck our world as we know it.  But honestly if he has to come along and do that, then its a solid assumption that our world needs wrecking anyway and he in his wisdom and power and Love is setting us up to follow him the way he wants us to.  Sometimes we need to be broken and experience pain, and experience tragedy before we can be given great triumph.  

Once again sorry this is so late in the day; tomorrow's entry will most likely be a late one as well, but Tuesday, Day 4 should be a morning entry.  Hope you are keeping up so far, and please as always reply to this post with comments and questions.  I love feedback.   Go ALL IN!!!

John 1 - Life Comes with & through Jesus

As I promised this is the first of a month of posts that are my reflections from the day's reading; my hope is to post most of these in the mornings, but I'm on vacation right now and so I'm not on my normal schedule; so bear with me for a day or two.
Today's reading is from John 1.  If you have yet to read that stop now, pull out your Bible and turn to John 1 or click this link for an online Bible and read the chapter.  There is a lot that happens in this chapter, so just as you normally would or should take your time, pull out a journal, and write down your questions & thoughts as you go along.  It may be that my thoughts might help you with yours, but if not feel free to comment to my blog with your questions and comments. 

The author, John the Apostle of Jesus, begins his account of the life of Jesus in verses 1-18 by telling us exactly who Jesus is and where he comes from and why this is important.  John tells us that Jesus was with God, his Father, from the beginning; in fact, not only was Jesus with God from the beginning, but it was through Jesus that the entire world came into being.  It was through Jesus that life exists.  It is through Jesus that life still exists today.  It is through Jesus that you and I have breathe in our lungs.  You see the importance of these 18 verses in John is to make it known that it was simply God the father speaking life into existence; it was God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) and God the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) who all created the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the universe, literally all things.  John is telling us that without Jesus nothing can exist.  Without Jesus nothing has life.

Then John goes on to tell us a little about John the Baptist (not the same John) and his role in the coming of Jesus to his public ministry, this takes place in verses 19-34.  The main point during this section, in as simple terms as I can put it, is that John's role was to prepare the way; to bring the attention of the people not to himself, rather to the fact that the Messiah, the Savior was coming and it was time for people to be aware and ready to accept him (Jesus) as the coming King of the World.  John says that Jesus is the one the prophets wrote about long ago and he will do everything spoken about him in the law and prophets (law & prophets = Old Testament).  Jesus was the one who came to prepare the way for Jesus to come; John came to "roll out the red carpet" for Jesus.

Verses 35-51 is a quick account of Jesus calling his first 5 apostles to follow him in his ministry.  One key verse that gives a large amount of insight into the way Jesus wants to have relationships is in verse 43.  It says, "Finding Philip...".  Jesus found Philip and asked him to "follow me".  We don't "find Jesus", he finds us, get ourselves saved and we don't get saved by our pastor or friend or T.V. evangelist.  We are saved by the Grace and Love of God offered to us and made possible through the sacrificial death and following resurrection of God's Son Jesus.  Once we come to an understanding of this sacrificial gift and accept it making Jesus our lord and master we are called to bring others to a place where they can meet Jesus and experience the same understanding and salvation.  We see this in verses 45-49, Jesus first found Philip, then Philip went and found Nathanael and brought him to Jesus and when Philip got Nathanael in the presence of Jesus Nathanael's life was changed forever.

Those are quick overviews of the three big sections of this chapter.  Please comment to this with any comments or questions you may have and I'll do my best to help.  I'm really excited about this study we are going to be doing together this month, the Entire book of John, a couple chapters in Luke, and the book of James.  So get ready, buckle up and stay committed to this cause when we are seeking God in his word he will come reveal himself to us.  So get ready to meet God this month if you take this seriously.

GO ALL IN!!!     

A NEW Savior...?

For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.  And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.  You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.        

                                                                                                                                    -John 5:36b-40 (NIV)-

It is closing in on Christmas season and at some point soon you will probably drive by or see a Nativity Scene at a church or on a street corner, maybe even in your own yard or on a table or dresser in your house.   Many people, Christian or not, religious or not, know the Christmas story in some form or fashion; yet many of those same people do not believe Jesus is who the Bible says he is. 

            The truth is, a quick look into the writings of ancient non-biblical historians will show that there was a man named Jesus who lived and was crucified by Pontius Pilate precisely when the Bible says it happened.  I don’t have time to get specific on all the history stuff, but the point is, there is not any real argument that can say Jesus didn’t live and live an extraordinary life, nor is there any argument that can really dispute his death on a Roman cross.  My point is that Jesus’ life and death are undisputed fact. 

            However, I don’t find it odd or even out of the ordinary that people today, despite historical evidence, don’t believe that Jesus is who the Bible says he is or did what the Bible said he did.  It don’t find it odd mainly because the many of the people who were literally in the presence of Jesus, the people who actually watched him perform the miracles he performed couldn’t even believe that he was who he said he was.  These were people who would have known the prophecies about the coming Messiah by heart.  These were the people who were waiting for the Messiah to come.  They stood by and watched Jesus fulfill prophecy after prophecy and yet they still would not believe he was who he said he was. 

            With all this in mind; today I was reading in the Gospel of John and read the above statements by Jesus from John 5 and it hits me...its not that they didn’t see Jesus or experience his works and miracles, it’s not even that they weren’t really hoping for the Messiah to come because I believe they were still hoping; Jesus says, it’s not that you didn’t see me doing the work my Father has given me to do…the fact is you simply don’t believe that Salvation comes from me and therefore from the Father.  You have found other things to place your hope and trust in.  You have found new Saviors. 

            The problem of faith in the world and even in the church today isn’t that people don’t believe Jesus came, lived, did all he did, and died, which is what I originally thought.  I think the problem is that we have found new Saviors.  We have found other things to place our hope and trust in.   Things like money, possessions, stock market, bank account, or careers.  We have found new saviors in athletic figures, actors/actresses, music stars, college football teams, boyfriends or girlfriends, government or government figures, and the list goes on.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 that the person/place/thing that you place the most value on is where your heart will be also. 

            So, with this season that reminds us of the TRUE SAVIOR that came to the world to bring all things back to a right relationship with the Father through his life, death, burial, and resurrection; where do you place your hope?  In WHAT or WHOM do you place the highest value?  Have you found a new savior or is Jesus the Savior of your life?  Does your checkbook and calendar reflect Jesus as Savior or is it something or someone else?  As I said last month… ask yourself, To Whom or What do I Bow my Knee?