Life Recovery

Romans, Chapters 7 & 8

bratsjourney | August 19, 2007 17:52

The series we are going through at our church is Positive Soul Care in a Negative World.  This week is Part VI and it was about Hope - Expectant, Future and Intercessory.  I enjoy are Pastor's teachings, since he speaks from his heart and he includes himself when he's talking about our downfalls.

Yesterday, he said something that I had to write down.  It was one of those comments that smacks you right in the face.  He said, "Did you know, your name is spoken in the halls of Heaven."   Yes, I had heard this a long time ago, but, I never understood it until now.

He was talking about how the Holy Spirit talks to Jesus and God about us and the Intercessory Hope is when we are so in need in the middle of a trial that we don't have the words to pray.  So the Holy Spirit takes it to God.  That in itself is so encouraging.  How many of us have been in such a turmoil with so many directions we could go or think or do and not know what to do.  Your thoughts are so muddled that you cannot focus.  To know there is a power, that lives in us, so much greater than anything else in this world that will speak for me and my thoughts.  What a relief. 

So, to think that my name is being spoke in Heaven and I'm not even there yet, is something I find very comforting.  If there is anything that would keep my focus on Him, it would have to be that.  I would want my name spoken in Heaven as a positive thing and not a negative one.

I know Jesus defends me hourly when satan tries to condemn me.  However, until I heard those words yesterday, ... well, let's just say it was another one of those slap me in the face realizations that had to be made.

I know the path home to God is not an easy one.  I also know that He could have many difficult days in store for me, however, it's those difficult days that I want to draw closer to Him for guidance, love, understanding and comfort. 

What would it be like to be in Heaven with our Father, our Groom and the Holy Spirit?  I don't know, however, I know there are no words to describe the glorious joy, peace and love.  To be among the Heavenly Choir and meeting the people in the bible.  To be instantly changed in a blink of an eye, when our Savior comes back to take us home.  I hope I'll see you all, including my family, there.  What a day that will be.

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Change is going good.

bratsjourney | August 18, 2007 09:20

The change at our church appears to be going smoothly.  The pastor now in charge of the Ministry I am involved with is very supportive and a pretty good guy and I feel comfortable that he will lead the ministry with God as his focus.

What more could you ask for?

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Who likes change?

bratsjourney | August 07, 2007 19:03

Our church is going through a staff change.  It wouldn't be such a big deal, however, it seams to be happening all at once (4 main people leaving).   Am I worried?  No, God has plans for the ones that are leaving and for the ones who are staying.  Our church hasn't been through many changes in the 9+ years since it's existence, so changes were due. 

It will be interesting to see what God has in store for our church and the members.  He's leading us to something big and it will be interesting to see what it is, when God decides to reveal it.  All we can do is pray for the remaining church pastors to give them the courage and strength as well as knowledge and wisdom to continue to lead the church family with God as their focus.

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What was Jesus writing in the sand?

bratsjourney | August 01, 2007 20:41

We all know the story about the adulteress being dragged before Jesus to be stoned for being caught in her sin.  We also know that Jesus had told the angry mob, that the one who is without sin, cast the first stone as He kneeled down and started writing in the sand.  The next thing He looks up and the only one standing there is the woman, alone and the angry mob gone. 

My question to you is what was He writing in the sand?  I have read the passage and I have heard the passage, however, it never mentions what He's written.  I alway wondered what He was doing ... drawing circles, making faces in the dirt, what was it?

A week and a half ago I was in our Book Club and we somehow got on this subject.  One of the ladies had mentioned in her husband's bible study, they talked about what Jesus was writing.  Most of you already know this, but this was so powerful to me as it was said.  He was writing the angry mob's sin in the sand.    Can you say  ...  OUCH!

Can you imagine the scene, the adulteress against a wall with torn clothes with tears running down her face, an angry mob yelling while waiving clenched fists at her and yelling at Jesus that she must be punished and stoned.   Then Jesus calmly telling them to go ahead as long as those among you are without sin.  Can you see the anger in the mob's eyes as they watch Jesus bending down and start writing in the sand. 

I see each one of the mob walking to the pile of rocks next to Jesus, reaching for a rock and glancing over to see what Jesus is writing, then the rock falling from their hand and walking away. 

We are so much like the angry mob.  We can see the sin in others, however, we cannot see it in the mirror.  I pray we start seeing the sin in the mirror before we see the sin in others.

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