The phenomenon of the World Cup

 

As an American I am not very interested in soccer. We have American football, basketball, golf, hockey, baseball, NASCAR (stock car racing) which happens to be the most watched sport in the US and a myriad of other sports mostly imported. So you can see why soccer would not be high on the list for most American and yet the largest spectator group for the World Cup outside of South Africa is the United States. A wave of interest and enthusiasm has swept across our country in light of the oil calamity and economic woes.

Here in Mexico they go crazy over their soccer (futbol). In fact, when Mexico is playing the streets are practically deserted. Restaurants are encouraging patrons to come and watch the games in their establishments. Vendors sell shirts and flags on most every busy street corner in the cities. There is a lot of excitement over 22 men running up and down a field trying to kick a ball in the net.  As we read Hebrews 12:1 we see that those of us engaged in the real game of life have those who are cheering us on.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

We are involved in the true game of life and there are winners (those who finish the race) and there are losers (those who never got into the race). We are encouraged to keep our eyes on Him, Jesus Christ, who has finished the race. By the way, He is cheering us on.

 

TLS ®

Fresh Water or Bitter Water?

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of the water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

When the children of Israel were in the wilderness on a few occasions they could not find water. However God miraculously provided that essential element to them. God even provided water for them from a rock. Water has been a symbol of both cleansing and life. Living water is a reference to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said this, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

If you have in your heart the Holy Spirit and He is operative then the fruit of the Spirit will flow from the heart.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

But Jesus also spoke of another heart, a defiled heart. 

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:18-19 (NKJV)

James asked the question, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” The answer is very clear, “No can do.”

Whatever is in the heart of a person will come out, it will be evident and indicate the kind of character a person has.

Fresh water or bitter water, which is coming from you?  

 

TLS ®

Are you in the walking in the Light?

 

“The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. “ Isaiah 9:2

Throughout the Bible the comparison of light and dark are often used. Jesus said this referring to the light:

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21 (NKJV)

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12 (NKJV)

Light has top bear witness to itself. The only ones who cannot see the light are the blind. There are two kinds of blindness: physical and spiritual. The physical can originate in several ways: an accident, born blind, or a disease. In most cases it is irreversible. The spiritual blindness we are all born with it. Sin has blinded us to the truth. When Jesus shines His light on us we either accept the light or recoil in fear and unbelief. The Light is shinning all around. John Newton wrote a song “Amazing Grace” in which he said, “Once I was blind but now I see.”

 

TLS ®

Some thought on John 3:16

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “ John 3:16

This past Sunday we looked at this magnificent verse, John 3:16. In fact, we quoted it from memory in our native languages. It was a beautiful experience to hear the sound of multiple languages speaking this magnificent verse of scripture.

Max Lucado wrote a book and the title is “3:16”.He calls John 3:16 , the Hope Diamond of the Bible. Here is how he puts John 3:16:

GOD LOVES

GOD GAVE

WE BELIEVE

WE LIVE

Here is how he explains 3:16-

“A twenty-six word parade of hope; beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather two thousand years of storms and questions. If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here. We all need the reminder. The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God’s treatment is prescribed in John 3:16.”

Have you experienced John 3:16?

TLS ®

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

^“Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.” Joel 1:15 (NKJV)

The day of the Lord is that period of time when God will openly intervene in the affairs of men- in judgment and in blessing. It begins with the translation (Rapture) of the Church of Jesus Christ and will terminate with the cleansing of the heavens and the earth in preparation to bringing into being the new heavens and the new earth.  The order of events seems to be this way:

The Rapture of the Church just preceding the Day of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NKJV)

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

TLS ®