Category Archives: Jesus

Satan Entered

Posted on by

dark skyThen Satan entered into Judas.

It began with a suggestion. Betray Jesus. Go to the leading priests. Tell them you’ll hand Jesus over to them.

During that time, Accuser (Satan) wrapped himself around the heart of speaks Well Of (Judas), also called Village Man (Iscariot), who was one of the twelve followers of Creator Sets Free (Jesus). He went to the head holy men and the lodge guards and told them of his plan to turn against Creator Sets Free (Jesus). Luke 22:3-4 (First Nations Version)

The plot becomes action.

While Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal together, Satan entered Judas again. Up to this point, no action or follow-through was taken. That would soon change. Judas left the others. He went to the chief religious leaders. Details for accomplishing the betrayal of Christ were ironed out.

When Speaks Well Of (Judas), took the frybread, the evil snake took hold of his heart. “Go now,” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) said to him, “and do what you have planned.” John 13:26-27 (First Nations Version)

Satan entered Judas with a suggestion. The suggestion became a plot. The plot became action sealed with the kiss of a betrayer.

While Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was speaking, suddenly a crowd stormed in led by Speaks Well Of (Judas), one of the twelve. He walked up to Creator Sets Free (Jesus) to greet him. “Will you betray the True Human Being with a kiss?” he said to him.

“Why do you come at me with clubs and long knives as if I were a thief?” he asked them. “Did I not sit with you every day in the sacred lodge? Why did you not take me then? This is your time, and you have given the powers of darkness their day.” Luke 22:47-48, 52b-53 (First Nations Version)

At any time and at any point, Judas could have resisted Satan. He could have walked away. When Satan enters and whispers in our ear, we have the same choice. When he tries to wrap himself around our heart, we can resist. When we do, he will flee, because the One who is Greater is in us if we claim Christ as our Savior. We can take every thought captive and throw away everything the evil one sends our way.

Maybe we’ve allowed the deceiver’s words to make it through the initial suggestion phase, and we’ve started planning and plotting how to accomplish his design. Maybe we’ve even enlisted others to help us. There is still time to turn back. There is still time to tell Satan to get out of our life. 

Unfortunately, if like Judas, we don’t turn back before we follow through with the plan to betray Jesus, we place a kiss of betrayal on the cheek of the One who calls us friend.

But all isn’t lost. When we follow through with Satan’s suggestions and sin, there is still hope if we acknowledge our sin, turn to Jesus, and ask for his forgiveness. Then we must determine to shut our ears to the deceiver’s lies.

We aren’t strong enough to stand on our own against the enemy, and we don’t have to. When Satan enters, we aren’t defenseless. Far from it. We have an ally in God’s own son.

We have the Savior who stands before his Father, the Righteous Judge, pleading our case as our Mediator, Advocate, Intercessor, and High Priest on our side. We have the Spirit living inside us to strengthen us in our struggles.

We have a loving Father who allowed his beloved Son in whom he is well pleased, to be betrayed with a kiss, suffer excruciating torture, and die a sinner’s death. All so our sins could be forgiven and we could have a relationship with him as his  beloved child.

Satan is defeated by the power of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Don’t ever forget that. You can be sure Satan won’t. That’s why Satan continues to look for ways to devour and destroy God’s people.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think
others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media
buttons.

Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples. So Judas went off and spoke with the chief priests and the officers of the Temple guard about how he could betray Jesus to them. They were pleased and offered to pay him money. Judas agreed to it and started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them without the people knowing about it. Luke 22:3-6 (GNT)

You can find my April Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

The Day After Christ’s Triumphant Entry

Posted on by

JerusalemJesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem the day before in a triumphant parade surrounded by shouts of “Hosanna!”, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

When the religious leaders told Jesus to make the people hush, the Son of God replied that even if the people stopped their praise, the rocks and stones themselves would rise up and sing. I absolutely love that image and truth.

After a night in Bethany, Christ and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. There they found money changers in the temple. These men charged exorbitant fees. In doing so, they took advantage of the poor who came to offer their sacrifice at the temple. Merchants sold inferior animals at inflated costs. The commonness of a market replaced the holiness of the temple.

And Jesus was not pleased.

At the beginning of Christ’s ministry he encountered the same thing (John 2:13-16). During that incident, Jesus took the time to braid strands into a whip before he cleared the temple. Possibly he was counting to ten?

This time, however, there doesn’t seem to be the pause between anger and action. Jesus knew his time on earth was coming to a close. He knew by the end of the week Judas would betray him and Jesus would be handed over to the religious leaders.

He would be beaten beyond recognition. Suffer unimaginable pain. Be crucified even though no fault or crime was found. He would pay the penalty for our sins. Christ would drink the cup of his Father’s wrath.

My question for each of us is this. Are we like those money changers who defiled God’s holy temple?

How do we treat the things of God? Of Jesus?

Do we revere the Holy Scriptures, read them, take them into our heart, and apply them to our lives?

Are we regularly in worship services with other believers, praising our Lord’s name? Not only during significant seasons such as Easter and Christmas, but all year long?

Or do we treat God’s house as nothing more than a social gathering? A place to network to further our careers? A common market place to buy and sell commodities?

Each of us will be held accountable for how we treat the holy things of God. The next time Jesus clears the temple, I do not think he’ll pause to braid a whip.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards. He then taught the people: “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!”

The chief priests and the teachers of the Law heard of this, so they began looking for some way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. Mark 11:15-18 (GNT)

You can find my April Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Christ the Cornerstone

Posted on by

open BibleChrist the Cornerstone. The rejected stone. Everyone who stumbles over this stone will be broken.

When Jesus told a parable about evil tenant farmers, the Pharisees knew he spoke about them. Jesus knew what was in their hearts and thoughts. He knew they plotted to kill him, and they didn’t like it. Not one bit. In fact, they looked for a way to arrest him immediately.

In this parable, the owner of the vineyard kept sending servants to the tenant farmers to see how things were going. One by one, the tenants beat the owner’s servants.

Finally, the owner sent his only son thinking, surely, they will respect my son and not harm him. Instead of respecting the son, the tenants killed him, too.

In this parable the owner is God. The tenant farmers are Israel. The owner’s servants are the prophets God sent to his people. The owner’s son is Jesus.

As Jesus told this parable, he explained what would happen to the evil tenant farmers. The owner would come and kill them for rejecting and killing his son. Then he would turn the vineyard over to other tenants.

When the people heard this, they said surely the owner wouldn’t do that.

Jesus looked at them and asked, “What, then, does this scripture mean? The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all. Everyone who falls on that stone will be cut to pieces; and if that stone falls on someone, that person will be crushed to dust.” (Luke 20:15-18)

When we, like the Jewish leaders, reject the truth of who Christ is-King of kings, LORD of lords, Messiah, Redeemer, Son of God, Cornerstone-we stumble over the truth. We reject the most important thing of all and are broken to pieces.

When the Pharisees realized Jesus spoke about them as he told this parable, instead of acknowledging the truth, they rejected Christ the Cornerstone. They allowed their stubborn pride to cause them to stumble and fall. As a result, they where shattered and crushed.

To the Jewish leaders, Christ was a stumbling block. He did not come in the manner they expected the Messiah to come.

To the Church, Christ is the Cornerstone. The foundation upon which the Church is built.

At the end time, Christ is the stone that will crush Gentile world dominion as depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, recorded in the book of Daniel.

Just as the people who heard Jesus’ parable had a choice whether to believe in Christ the Cornerstone or not, we do as well.

We can reject Jesus and be crushed. Or accept him and be save. Our choice.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12 (NLT)


 You can find my March Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Desperate for Healing

Posted on by

hands lifted upwardThe woman’s story is recorded in Luke 8 and Mark 5. It is a story of a woman with faith who was desperate for healing. It is a story of divine power and love. It is a story of a blessing freely given.

For twelve years the woman bled without relief. For twelve years she visited physicians who took her money but did little to help. For twelve years this woman suffered not only from the physical effects of her condition, but also the societal effects from a people who labeled her unclean.

As someone labeled unclean, the woman was not allowed inside the Temple. She was not supposed to be around anyone without loudly announcing, “Unclean. Unclean.” She was not supposed to be in crowds of people. And she especially was not to touch a male who wasn’t a relative; let alone a Rabbi.

Yet, in her desperation to have her weakened body healed, she risked everything, including her life, to approach Jesus in the crowd.

Ostracized for her condition, she didn’t want to draw attention to herself. She knew Jesus was her only hope. If she could just sneak in and touch the tassel on the hem of his garment, she knew her bleeding would stop. Once she touched Jesus’ garment, her plan was to leave unnoticed.

As soon as the woman’s hand touched Jesus’ cloak, healing the woman desperately sought and believed she had to steal was freely given. When Jesus felt power leave him, he asked who touched him.

In the crowd, lots of people touched Jesus, but only this woman was healed. Jesus could have gone on his way without requesting the woman show herself, but he didn’t. He refused to move until the woman presented herself to him.

We need to remember, Jesus knew who touched him. In fact, he knew since the beginning of time she would. His asking who touched the tassel on the hem of his cloak was for the woman’s benefit, not his.

What the woman hoped to keep private was now made public. Luke says, “In front of everyone.” Her very personal problem/issue/concern was out there for everyone to weigh in on. Plus the fact her failure to announce “unclean” put her in a position to be stoned. All because she was desperate for healing.

Even though all this happened as Jesus was on his way to bring Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter back to life, he would not budge until he spoke to the woman face to face. He would not dismiss her as others in her life had done. He wanted to make sure she understood he saw her and valued her.

This woman had worth in Christ’s eyes. She was not merely a nameless face in the crowd. She mattered greatly to the Son of God. By refusing to move until the woman came before him, Jesus offered her something more than physical healing. Something important. He offered her spiritual healing. By talking to her face to face, Jesus showed he cared for the woman and her concerns.

The woman with the issue of blood was desperate for healing. Healing Jesus gave freely. After the woman fell before Jesus, he told her to go in peace. Her suffering was over.

Oh my goodness gracious. That brings tears to my eyes. After twelve long years of suffering on so many levels, Jesus told this precious woman to go in peace. Her suffering was over.

As the Great Physician, Jesus heals all our hurts. His blessings are freely given when we seek him out, come humbly before him, and acknowledge he alone is able.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done.  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:33-34 (NLT)

You can find my January Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

The Baby In The Manger

Posted on by

manger sceneDuring this season of Christmas, it is easy for us to think only of Jesus as the babe in the manger, and not think of him as God the Son who stood beside God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit when the world was formed out of nothing.

In Genesis 1:26 when God said, “Let us … ” he included both Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

During this season of Christmas, it is easy for us to think only of Jesus as the babe in the manger, and not think of him as the Suffering Savior who took the penalty for our sins on his perfect sinless self so we wouldn’t have to pay the debt we owed.

In Psalm 22:1 David spoke of Christ’s suffering on the cross when he said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These were the very words Jesus spoke as he hung from the cross of Calvary.

During this season of Christmas, it is easy for us to think only of Jesus as the babe in the manger, and not think of him as the Victor who won the battle over hell, sin, Satan, and death. BOOM! Jesus is the Mighty Warrior who will return and establish his kingdom.

In Revelation 21:6 Jesus says he is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

As we look at the babe in the manger, let’s remember he is also the one who was and is and is to come. He is Jesus Christ, Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords now and forever. Emanuel. The one who is here with us.

Amen?

In all of the festivities of Christmas, do you ever find it difficult to think of the babe in the manger as Jesus Christ the Savior who died for you?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Christ is the Word of Life. He was from the beginning. We have heard Him and have seen Him with our own eyes. We have looked at Him and put our hands on Him. Christ Who is Life was shown to us. We saw Him. We tell you and preach about the Life that lasts forever. He was with the Father and He has come down to us. 1 John 1:1-2 (NLV)

You can find my December Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

What Must I Do?

Posted on by

The story is told in the 19th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew of a man who came to Jesus and asked, “What good must I do to earn eternal life?”

The man many call the Rich Young Ruler felt he had all his bases covered. He kept all the required religious laws. To make sure he hadn’t left anything undone to earn eternal life, he went to the one he considered a good teacher. Mind you, the man did not call Jesus Lord or Messiah. Only teacher.

“What good must I do to earn eternal life?” Sounded like the man wanted a checklist of good deeds to follow to ensure he earned his spot in heaven.

I’ve met students like this. They never came right out and asked what was the least they could do and still pass the class, but their actions made it quite clear that’s what they wanted. Internal motivation to do a job to the best of their ability, was nowhere on their radar.

When Jesus mentioned several commandments recorded in what we refer to as the Ten Commandments, the man said he’d kept all of them. Was there anything else he lacked? Jesus told the man he must sell his belongings, give them to the poor, and to follow him.

Matthew tells us the man went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Although the man asked, “What good must I do to earn eternal life?” he wasn’t willing to put Jesus before his possessions when told that was what he should do.

The first commandment tells us not to place anything before God. We might not put our possessions before God, but what about our relationships, jobs, leisure activities?

Jesus told the man if he wanted to have eternal life, it wasn’t a long to-do list of external things to check off. Christ is more concerned with heart attitude than outward show.

Our motivation to strive to keep the commandments should be because we love God and desire to please him. It’s all about internal motivation, not external motivation.

What Must I do? What must we do?

Do we love Jesus enough to let go of the things that keep us from following him? That’s a good place to start, is it not?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 (CEV)

You can find my June Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Image by Mary Pahlke from Pixabay

No Missing Pieces In Jesus

Posted on by

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Sometimes life can seem like a jigsaw puzzle with several pieces missing. Can it not? Fortunately, when we belong to Jesus, there are no missing pieces.

When Pie was in elementary school, he was majorly interested in the original G.I. Joe television series, toys, and comic books. Who knew, many years later, Duke, Scarlet, and Snake Eyes would be featured in several major movies? Certainly not me.

During one trip to my mother’s house in Georgia, Pie contentedly put a brand new, unopened, G.I. Joe puzzle together. Halfway through, however, no matter how hard he tried to complete the puzzle, there was a problem. Some pieces were missing.

We went to the local five and dime in Homerville to look for another puzzle, but they did not sell any G.I. Joe toys. Not to be deterred, Pie decided to write Hasbro a letter. He explained the problem of the missing puzzle pieces. And you know what? Hasbro came through. Not only did they send a new replacement of the puzzle Pie wrote them about, they sent others as well. Good on you, Hasbro.

Just like trying to make sense of a jigsaw puzzle, we try to make sense of the jigsaw puzzle of life, don’t we? We work hard to get all the pieces to fit properly to create a pleasing picture. We bought the brand new unopened puzzle, expecting all the pieces to be there. But halfway through, we just can’t make it fit. Our perfect picture of what we expected our life to look like is missing several pieces.

That’s when we get in touch with the Creator of the puzzle, the Great I Am. We tell Jesus the problem and wait on his reply. There are no missing pieces in Jesus. He has everything we need to complete the puzzle of our life. He knows what the picture will look like when it’s finished. On the day we stand before the Father’s throne, there will be nothing missing.

The way I see it, our job is to keep the box cover, our Bible, in view and make sure we’re putting the puzzle together correctly. Then put the pieces together day by day, piece by piece, and step by step.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TLB)

You can find my June Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Who Will Call Him King of Kings?

Posted on by

Photo by Sean O. on Unsplash

Easter is over for one more year. Now what? Has anything in our lives changed since Sunday in how we respond to that most glorious news; He is Risen! He is Risen indeed? Or are we living pretty much unchanged? Like the disciples we are called to let the whole world know Jesus is the resurrected King of kings and Lord of lords. So how are we doing with that?

Jesus told the disciples to meet him in Galilee after his resurrection. The disciples did just as Jesus told them. There they worshiped him. At this time, before he ascended back to his throne at the Father’s right in heaven, Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into all the world, ALL the world, and make disciples in all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all the commands Jesus gave them. (Matthew 28:16-20) The disciples went everywhere preaching, and the Lord was with them and confirmed what they said by the miracles that followed their messages. (Mark 16:20)

As Christ-followers we are called to spread the Good News of a Risen Savior who loved us so much he willingly took our sin stain on himself, paid the debt we owed but could never pay, all so none would perish, and could live with him forever. This great commission is not just for the season surrounding Resurrection Sunday, but for every day of our life. Amen?

Who will call him king of Kings?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.
 
 It was not long afterwards that he rose into the sky and disappeared into a cloud, leaving them staring after him. As they were straining their eyes for another glimpse, suddenly two white-robed men were standing there among them, and said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some day, just as he went, he will return!” Acts 1:9-11 (TLB)
 
You can find my April Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well,

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Seasonal Scripture Verses

Posted on by

For today’s post I am sharing several seasonal Scripture verses. Some verses we associate with the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Some verses we associate with our celebration of Christ’s sacrificial death.

As we read these Scripture verses, let’s not forget we cannot celebrate Christmas without celebrating Christ Jesus’ Resurrection.

A child is born to us!
    A son is given to us!
    And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,”
    “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”
    “Prince of Peace.”
His royal power will continue to grow;
    his kingdom will always be at peace.
He will rule as King David’s successor,
    basing his power on right and justice,
    from now until the end of time.
The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (GNT)

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.

Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:

“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:8-14 (TPT))

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53 (NLT)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

Today and always may we never forget the baby in the manger, whose birth we celebrate each December 25th, is also the Sacrificial Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world, that all may have life and have it abundantly. Jesus is Christ the Messiah. King of kings and LORD of lords. To him be glory, honor, and praise now and forever. Amen.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse you read at Christmas?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

You can find my December Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks.

We Are Aliens In This World

Posted on by

Although this post first appeared October 4, 2016, I felt it worth re-posting. Hope you agree.

Last month during our trip through the Southwest, Pilot and I went through Roswell, NM on our way to Carlsbad Caverns. Although our intent was to visit the International UFO Museum Research Center to see if the truth really is out there, a tornado threatened to send us sheltering beneath the Roswell Museum and Art Center where Pilot soaked in the history of the Robert Goddard exhibit, so we decided to get out of town. Fast.

It seemed everywhere I looked between Roswell and Carlsbad there were aliens.

And this got me thinking about those of us who belong to Jesus.

We are in this world, but not of it. We are aliens, if you will. Sojourners traveling through this world, waiting for the day Jesus takes us to our eternal home in heaven.

To quote Henry David Thoreau, we march to the beat of a different drum. At least we should. People should be able to look at what we do, what we say, where we go, how we treat people, and notice we are different.

We are to reflect Jesus, not the world.

The patriarch, Abraham, was called out of the land of Ur to travel to a place God would take him; Canaan, the land the Israelites called the Promised Land. Abraham was an alien in a foreign land. He was just a-passin’ through.

We are called to be different from the world around us. We are called to a higher standard. A standard set by God. Not a standard set by the culture that surrounds us. God has chosen us to be holy and pure. We belong to him, as such, we are his ambassadors to people who do not yet know him.

This world is not our home. We are aliens. And that’s a good thing, don’t you think?

The truth is out there, and it isn’t found in a science fiction tv show. It’s found in the Words of Truth recorded in God’s Holy Bible.

Have you visited the International UFO Museum Research Center?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. … Dear brothers, you are only visitors here. Since your real home is in heaven, I beg you to keep away from the evil pleasures of this world; they are not for you, for they fight against your very souls. 1 Peter 2:9 & 11 (TLB)

You can find my November Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks.