The Heart of the Matter

Matthew 11:28-30

Teri — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:49:07 +0000

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Jesus invites us to come to him and learn from him, for he is gentle and humble in heart.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Jesus is Truly God

Teri — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 21:19:24 +0000

The Deity of Christ says that Jesus is truly God. This is the foundational belief of the Christian faith, yet one of the main controversies. This was the most important concept that I struggled with before believing and accepting Jesus Christ as my savior. I needed to be able to formulate rational proofs that Jesus is God before I could believe. Is this your struggle too?

I had two fundamental questions. I have since heard these same questions from other seekers; How do we know that Jesus is God? What are the proofs for this?

How do we know that Jesus is God?

Jesus tells us so himself in his own words recorded in the Scriptures. John 5:18b says "He was calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." Jesus claimed his own Sonship in John 10:36: "…what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?" and Matt 26:53: "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Jesus further claimed authority as the Son of God by forgiving sins, modification of the Sabbath, foretelling of his judgment of the world, and calling himself "I AM," the name God used of himself in Exodus 3. Finally, when Jesus was asked by the high priest at his trial if he was the Christ, the Son of God, he admitted "Yes, it is as you say."

Other people in Scripture also tell us that Jesus is the Son of God. John the Baptist is one example. In John 1:32-34 we read, "I [John the Baptist] saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." Also, Mark begins his gospel "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God" so Mark obviously thought Jesus to be God's son.

Also, while the Old Testament contains the prophecy of the one who is to come, the New Testament proclaims the fulfillment of this prophesy in Christ Jesus.

You might say, "all of these claims could be rationalized away." True, it is easy for someone to make claims about themselves that are not true—we see this in people around us every day. It is also within the realm of possibility that people can be convinced of the false claims people make. History contains many examples of this. The prophecy? On the surface it might appear to be a coincidence. So maybe none of this is enough to convince you. So, read on.

Statistical Probability and Historical Corroboration

A closer look reveals that prophecy foretold many things about what would happen to the one who would come. The circumstances of his birth, lineage, anointing, activities (preaching, ministering, miracles, cleansing of the temple), rejection, death and resurrection, and the filling by the Holy Spirit were all foretold. And Jesus himself predicted these things of himself. The possibility of all of the prophecy of the one to come being fulfilled in Jesus by chance is "beyond statistical probability."

In addition to this, Jesus' body being missing from the grave is an historical fact. Jesus' resurrection is an historical fact attested to by many. And, the Biblical accounts of these facts were written within the lifetime of many witnesses who could have disputed them. As a result, claims about Jesus' missing body would most certainly have been disputed by those who carried out and witnessed the crucifixion, had they been false.

Consequently, the witness of Jesus' ascension and the filling of the disciples with the Holy Spirit are easy to conceive in light of the facts. I am convinced that Jesus is who he claimed to be.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The wicked freely strut...

Teri — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:31:53 +0000

"The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men." (Psalm 12:8 NIV).

This feels eerily like what is happening in our country, and perhaps the world, today. What are we to do?

Trust in God's unfailing love; rejoice in our salvation. And always remember that he is in control. His timing will prevail in all things.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Trusting God

Teri — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:16:04 +0000

After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, "Abraham!" "Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening." He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." Genesis 22:1-2 (MSG)

Who hasn't heard someone call out to God in a time of grief or pain? Usually, this outcry is a reflexive response rather than a true call for God's help. We have all been tested in our lives. For some of us, it is easy to recognize God's testing. For others, it's not.

As believers, we quickly learn that knowing "about" God is not the same as "knowing" Him. Nor is it as satisfying.

God requires us to walk with Him by faith as Abraham did when God told him to sacrifice Isaac. As with Abraham, God will provide in our faithfulness and obedience. As a result, we come to know God through our obedience. When we are obedient, God will provide.

Copyright © 2009 by Teresa L. Haymaker

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Spiritual Renewal for Service, Psalm 51

Teri — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:07:52 +0000

Am I worthy to serve the God of the universe? How could this be possible? I am a born sinner. David was too, and God used him during his life on earth and continues to use him as an example to us today.
Though he sinned, David never doubted God's love for him. He knew of God's mercy and great compassion. He prayed for forgiveness, cleansing, a pure heart. And God restored him so that others could also see his faithfulness through David's life and example.

Our own tendency toward sin--our imperfections--allow us to be used by God in the same way that David was, and still is--used by God to fulfill his purposes and will for his people.

"Sing of [his] righteousness" and don't hesitate to let God use you as he used David--to invite others into his family.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Shimmers of Heaven

Teri — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:49:27 +0000

This morning I woke feeling terrible. I have been fighting illness for over a week now, and it seems today that I have lost the battle.

My husband is away on an overnight retreat so I turned my computer on and settled in to work on a dear friend's book for awhile. The following metrical composition especially touched my heart. I know Jack won't mind that I share it with you. I pray it lifts your spirit and gives you hope as it did me this morning.

Shimmers of heaven, Oh how we need them,
The fragrance of God, that floats in the air.
In the shadows of earth are shimmers of heaven,
When God in His mercy, walks with us here.

He whispers, I love you; come near, He is pleading,
Though I don't see Him, His voice I can hear.
In the babbling brook, in creation I'm reading,
A story of love from my God who is near.

I know of a tree, of God's own making,
Shaped into beams, to fashion a cross,
'Tween heaven and earth, hung my Savior there bleeding,
Paying my debt, so I'd not be lost.

This earth will pass, my friend, I assure you,
In the book, 'tis written, line upon line.
In Jesus, my friend, is life everlasting,
Like the line in that song, "Jesus is mine."

In the whispers of wind, dear God you are calling.
To all of this world, come worship Him.
The shadows of earth, can't hide heaven’s shimmers,
When the glory of Jesus, is sung like a hymn.

by Jack Bowers

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

A "Scrubbed" Face

Teri — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:52:43 +0000

As I read Mike Howerton’s blog today (http://mikehowerton.blogspot.com/2009/03/well-scrubbed-version-of-me-part-1.html), I realized that I too, tend to put forth “well scrubbed” versions of myself online. But it doesn’t begin or end online. Not only do I do this in my online relationships, but I do this in my “face” relationships as well.

“What’s wrong with that?,” you might ask. It shows that we care about others’ perceptions of us, and thus, about ourselves. It shows that we care about the feelings of others. From these standpoints, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

God says: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men… Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

To me, this is the difference. Our “scrubbing” becomes problematic only when our motives are greatness before our fellow man rather than to be pure and holy before God. So it is not only important that we are aware of our constant “scrubbing,” but also that we are aware of the motives behind it.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Ready to Go

Teri — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:25:47 +0000

The weather was perfect; sunny and warm. We were filled with excitement as we piled into the car for our trip to Mount St. Helens. The volcano had been active for almost a year after having settled down following the devastating eruption of 1980.

On this day we hoped to see the crater up close. Still over ten miles from the mountain, we began to see evidence of the destruction from the 1980 eruption. Tree trunks stood tall and barren, singed by the blast of hot gasses and shattered pieces of the mountain. Tree trunks, broken and discarded, scattered the landscape, having been carried on the winds of the blast from the forest nearest to the mountain. The symmetry was astounding! Tree trunks lay end to end and side by side as if being carefully placed there.

As we drew nearer to the mountain we saw trees that had been torn from the ground, blown over or snapped in half. The heat of the blast had stripped them of their foliage and few charred branches remained. Twenty five years after the eruption evidence of the century-old forest now stood in lifeless ruin.

In incredible contrast to the destruction still evident in the forest, new life has returned to the area. Foliage returned, followed by the birds, insects, and animals that are sustained by it. What a testimony to the healing power of nature!

Standing in awe of the power of nature, it occurred to me that God created all the natural laws and circumstances that caused the eruption, the death and destruction that followed, and the healing of the land that has taken place since.

This reminded me of God's Word to us in Isaiah 55:6: Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. ( NASB )

Each day God allows us to be a part of His world; His creation. This is easy for most of us. Incredibly, He also gives us the opportunity to be healed and renewed in His presence, if only we will call upon Him. How long will God be "near" for us to call upon? James 4:14 tells us there are no guarantees.

…you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (NIV)

The life on and near Mount St. Helens in May 1980 was completely destroyed in a matter of minutes. Our lives could be lost just as quickly.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.