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Archive for the ‘Christ’ Category

A Great Exchange

Posted in Christ, Expectations, Faith, Joy, tagged , , , , on September 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me … To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 / Luke 4:81)

When they are put into the hands of Jesus, God replaces our ashes (burnt up dreams and missed opportunities), mourning (sadness), and spirit of heaviness (depression) with a beauty that’s enticing, a joyfulness that splashes onto everything, and an attitude of praise covering our struggles.

The phrase, “to appoint”, here literally means “to call” and the term, “Zion”, refers specifically to God’s people. The meaning is clear: followers of Christ going through sadness, grief, and depression are the specific candidates for renewal.

Expect it

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Walking on Water With Jesus

Posted in Christ, Faith, God's Power, Recognizing Christ, Symbolism, tagged , , on July 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me! – Matthew 14:29-30 (MESSAGE)

It was night and the weather was storming! The disciples were in danger, barely making any progress, barely staying afloat when Jesus comes walking by on the water on foot. They were terrified thinking it was a ghost, wouldn’t you?

Peter sceptically said, “If you’re for real then let me do it, too!”

“Come on!”, Jesus said and Peter walked on water. Metaphorically so do we.

Events and problems swarm around us threatening to capsize and drown. Jesus is there, barely visible through the haze, undisturbed by the commotion. He’s not a ghost, not a make-believe deity. He tell us we can be safe with him through it all — all we have to do is abandon our trust in the boat and go with him.

When walking with him, however, don’t expect the wind to stop or the water to thicken. Keep focused on his call and his care; it’s all there for the asking.

— fritz

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Our Future

Posted in Christ's Body, resurrection, tagged , on June 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »

When Christ appears, we shall be like him — 1st John 3:2

“We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, – Philippians 3:20b-21

Understanding what happened on that famous resurrection Sunday is essential! It wasn’t Jesus’ spirit which appeared, like a ghost, to his disciples then went to be with God — Jesus walked out of that tomb spirit, soul, and body. He told his disciples “Touch me, a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bone like this.” Then he ate with them. (Luke 24:39-43).

Why is this important? Many reasons, not the least of which is because it gives us an inkling of our future.

We won’t ever become angels, won’t come back as a tsetse fly or do a repeat performance, we shall physically come alive with a renewed body like Christ’s. We’ll have a physical place to live and an important job to do.

— fritz
Related post: “Recognizing Value” – June 14, 2012

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