February 14th 2016
Have You Decided To Sacrifice Something During Lent?
John 10:27-30 (NIV)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."
After hearing this proclamation by Jesus, the Jews plotted to kill Him. How do you feel about what Jesus said here? No, really, think about it! Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus is telling you, His disciple that your salvation is guaranteed by Him! Remember, Jesus created you, in His image and likeness! James wrote about how mankind treats each other poorly, showing little or no respect for others, although we were all created by the same God. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)
During this season of Lent we are supposed to be preparing for the coming of our salvation, as we are waiting for Jesus resurrection from the dead to help us believe that our resurrection is also a real event that will occur sometime in the future. We are asked to sacrifice something during this holy season. We can give up something and/or fast during this season as a way of feeling a loss of something we really enjoy. Some may use this as a way of finally getting on that reduced intake diet to lose some excess weight. However, the sacrifice is to be offered to Jesus as some form of suffering.
Some reading this do not need to lose weight, so this does not appeal to them as a good way to sacrifice something they will miss, and thus, be an acceptable sacrifice. Some may give up something they really enjoy during this season as their way of sacrifice. Some areas celebrate Fat Tuesday as a way to kick off this season of sacrifice, by eating and drinking a lot on that day, before starting their chosen way to sacrifice something during the Lenten season. Have you decided to sacrifice something during Lent? While most of this is indicating giving up something you want to do, you could also suffer by doing something you do not want to do, as your sacrifice.
When Moses first spoke to God in that burning bush, God asked/commanded Moses to go bring God’s people back to a new home place God was going to offer them. After seeing the miraculous signs God showed Moses, so Moses could impress those seeing him that he was being sent by God, and then Moses replied to God. Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:13) How many times have you responded like this when asked to visit someone or to help in some way at the church of your choice? Maybe Lent allows you to say yes, as a way to sacrifice, by doing something you do not want to do.
Enough said about sacrifices during this season, we could also use this season to work on becoming more holy. We often talk about how Jesus left the Holy Spirit behind when He ascended into heaven and we often depend on the guidance of this Holy Spirit. The writer of Hebrews emphasized another means of help offered by Jesus to those who have accepted His offer of salvation. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14) Have you really ever thought very much about angels being available to help us? Based on this statement all “those who will inherit salvation” have angels in some way available as helpers. Angels were created by God before He created mankind, and they too were given a free will, so they can and have decided to turn against God. Remember the Scripture tells us hell was originally created for angels not mankind.
Do we each have a guardian angel? Jesus seemed to indicate that we do, or at least that children do. See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10) Jesus said, “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” It seems the anticipation here is that an angel in heaven is watching over each of us, and may in some way(s) be able to protect us during this earthly life. This idea may have something to do with the idea of Cupid, which leads us into a celebration called St. Valentine’s Day. Just as the season of Lent starts and we are to give up something, this card shop special day of buying gifts, especially candy is thrown into the mix!
With all this in mind, it seems that Cupid may well be one of the evil angels, as this special day disrupts the Lenten season. You give up candy for Lent, and then, someone gives you a big heart shaped box filled with candy! Flowers or something else not eatable may make a better gift for a Christian. Of course, Valentine’s Day is about more than candy or flowers, it is about love, and so try to express love as one of the greatest gifts of all to those you love.
Well anyway, offered with love,
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 10:27-30 (NIV)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."
After hearing this proclamation by Jesus, the Jews plotted to kill Him. How do you feel about what Jesus said here? No, really, think about it! Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus is telling you, His disciple that your salvation is guaranteed by Him! Remember, Jesus created you, in His image and likeness! James wrote about how mankind treats each other poorly, showing little or no respect for others, although we were all created by the same God. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)
During this season of Lent we are supposed to be preparing for the coming of our salvation, as we are waiting for Jesus resurrection from the dead to help us believe that our resurrection is also a real event that will occur sometime in the future. We are asked to sacrifice something during this holy season. We can give up something and/or fast during this season as a way of feeling a loss of something we really enjoy. Some may use this as a way of finally getting on that reduced intake diet to lose some excess weight. However, the sacrifice is to be offered to Jesus as some form of suffering.
Some reading this do not need to lose weight, so this does not appeal to them as a good way to sacrifice something they will miss, and thus, be an acceptable sacrifice. Some may give up something they really enjoy during this season as their way of sacrifice. Some areas celebrate Fat Tuesday as a way to kick off this season of sacrifice, by eating and drinking a lot on that day, before starting their chosen way to sacrifice something during the Lenten season. Have you decided to sacrifice something during Lent? While most of this is indicating giving up something you want to do, you could also suffer by doing something you do not want to do, as your sacrifice.
When Moses first spoke to God in that burning bush, God asked/commanded Moses to go bring God’s people back to a new home place God was going to offer them. After seeing the miraculous signs God showed Moses, so Moses could impress those seeing him that he was being sent by God, and then Moses replied to God. Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:13) How many times have you responded like this when asked to visit someone or to help in some way at the church of your choice? Maybe Lent allows you to say yes, as a way to sacrifice, by doing something you do not want to do.
Enough said about sacrifices during this season, we could also use this season to work on becoming more holy. We often talk about how Jesus left the Holy Spirit behind when He ascended into heaven and we often depend on the guidance of this Holy Spirit. The writer of Hebrews emphasized another means of help offered by Jesus to those who have accepted His offer of salvation. Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14) Have you really ever thought very much about angels being available to help us? Based on this statement all “those who will inherit salvation” have angels in some way available as helpers. Angels were created by God before He created mankind, and they too were given a free will, so they can and have decided to turn against God. Remember the Scripture tells us hell was originally created for angels not mankind.
Do we each have a guardian angel? Jesus seemed to indicate that we do, or at least that children do. See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10) Jesus said, “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” It seems the anticipation here is that an angel in heaven is watching over each of us, and may in some way(s) be able to protect us during this earthly life. This idea may have something to do with the idea of Cupid, which leads us into a celebration called St. Valentine’s Day. Just as the season of Lent starts and we are to give up something, this card shop special day of buying gifts, especially candy is thrown into the mix!
With all this in mind, it seems that Cupid may well be one of the evil angels, as this special day disrupts the Lenten season. You give up candy for Lent, and then, someone gives you a big heart shaped box filled with candy! Flowers or something else not eatable may make a better gift for a Christian. Of course, Valentine’s Day is about more than candy or flowers, it is about love, and so try to express love as one of the greatest gifts of all to those you love.
Well anyway, offered with love,
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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