Sep 15
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Read through this Psalm and many of the amazing things God had done in the past to protect and save Israel are recounted. This last verse really hit me because it gives a reason for God's intervention. He did it for His people. It seems like we forget that a bit too often...God actually has us in mind and is looking out for our interests - because He loves us, and wants to give us a chance, another opportunity, to show our love for him when we obey and follow his commands. What a genero… Read more »
Sep 2
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jason added a text contribution 1 Out Of 100There's nothing wrong with cheering for people and encouraging them when they make good choices, but it seems that we need to remember to cheer for people who've been in the habit of making poor choices - regardless of what they've done - when they finally repent. If heaven gets more excited about someone who repents than nearly a hundred others who are already doing ok, we should too. Poor choices might earn our disappointment, frustration, judgment and distaste, but true repen… Read more »
Sep 1
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jason added a text contribution What are THEY doing here?I remember a couple of times when I've walked into an event I've been invited to, looked around at who else is there, and wondered to myself, "what are THEY doing here?" What I was really doing was judging them and thinking that they didn't "fit" or belong where I was. Frankly, I thought I was better then them....or at least I hoped so. It's a bit uncomfortable to be reminded that I'm not that different then the Pharisees were. The main difference… Read more »
Aug 26
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jason added a text contribution Stepping on ToesIt's easy to get upset at the synagogue ruler and think he was just being stupid and judgmental, but how many times have we silently played that part before? Maybe someone was healed or set free from a "terrible" addiction, worshiped in a way different than how we would, or read from a different translation - and because we didn't understand it or could relate to it, we didn't approve of it. In fact, we share with others that what "they're" doing is comp… Read more »
Aug 25
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jason added a text contribution Scared of Who?I'm truly thankful to live where I do and cannot imagine living in a place where worshiping and even acknowledging God may put you face to face with someone who wants to kill you. If that ever happened, how could you not be scared. Yet Jesus says not to fear people but to fear God. This comparison is hard for me....I respond emotionally to the thought of someone threatening my life, but somehow there's a disconnect and I don't have near the same response when it comes to God -… Read more »
Aug 23
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jason added a text contribution Jesus Didn't WashI know Jesus was making a point here, but I can totally see my kids coming to the table for dinner without washing and when I call them on it and start sending them back to cleanup and wash their hands, I can picture one or all of them using this verse to try and justify themselves by saying, "Jesus didn't wash." Read more »
Aug 20
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jason added a text contribution Testing or SeekingEverybody likes to pick on lawyers and this passage doesn't help their image much. This expert in the law comes to Jesus, not because he's seeking Him, wants to follow Him or really even wants to know how to have eternal life. No, this lawyer just wants to test Jesus. And all too often we do the same thing, asking questions of Christ to test Him or see if we can find a way around the necessary obedience rather than genuinely seeking to know Him and follow Him. We play semantics (li… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution Better Than Who?Remember playground arguments where a couple kids go back and forth about whose dad can beat up the other or who's smarter, faster, stronger than everyone else? The disciples had their own version of a playground argument, trying to decide who was "the greatest." Jesus settled it by picking the least likely candidate for greatness and holding them up as the example. That'd be like choosing teams on the playground and picking the kid who never got chosen as the first person… Read more »
Aug 19
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Too often I know that I place myself on a higher level than others I know to be "sinners" because I don't struggle with this or that sin or have certain areas of my life in order. But Jesus sets the record straight here. My thinking that I don't have as much sin in my life that's been forgiven, often correlates to how much I love not just Christ, but others even. At those times when I am not as loving towards others or as passionately in love with Christ, I'd do… Read more »
Aug 18
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jason added a text contribution Specks and LogsI love the hyperbole that Jesus uses here. He could just as easily have said 'don't worry about the little problems other people have until you take care of the huge ones in your own life.' but he didn't. Instead he tells people they have logs in their eyes. Kinda funny actually. I also find it interesting that Jesus doesn't say ignore the speck in your brother's eye, so it's not like Jesus is turning a blind eye to people's sin. What he does say is t… Read more »
Aug 14
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jason added a text contribution Who's a Sinner?How often do we (the people in the church) think of sinners as only those people who are not believers and are outside the church? I don't think Jesus makes the same distinction. He's interested in repentance - turning from sin - and there are sinners everywhere. In fact, the Pharisees, the ultimate insiders, were a group of people Jesus was constantly challenging to change and they wouldn't. But tax collectors and sinners, when Jesus challenged them, they changed - they repen… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution Worth Following but Can't Always FindThere's a tendency (especially in America) to look for and admire "superstar" pastors. They write books, do interviews, speak at or even host conferences, and generally are constantly before the masses. Now, I'm not suggesting that there's anything wrong with sharing wisdom through those means, but I see Jesus trying to get out of the limelight rather than invite it to focus on him. I guess that's why I'm a little suspect of some pastors and preachers when t… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution What About The Fish?I like this story about Jesus teaching the people from a boat and then telling Simon to simply throw the net on the other side and they catch more fish than they'd ever caught before. In fact, their nets were breaking and the boats were overfilled and starting to go down. That's a lot of fish. But here's a question I wonder about. When Jesus invites them to fish for men with Him, they get to shore, and Simon, James and John, leave everything to follow Jesus....what happened to… Read more »
Aug 11
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jason added a text contribution Disappearing JesusJesus is in the synagogue teaching, and he says some things that they didn't really understand, but also really didn't like. They get so mad that the throng of people herds Jesus out of town and are looking to throw him over a cliff. So what does Jesus do? He just walks right through the crowd and heads off to the next place. Hold on a minute. An entire crowd of people can push him out of the city to the edge of town, but all of a sudden Jesus just stops getting pushed around and… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution Spirit-ledEarly on in my Christian life, I had a hard time comprehending this - that the Spirit would lead Jesus someplace where the devil could take a swing at him. But as I get older, I've seen the same thing in my own life. To follow the Spirit's leading doesn't mean he'll always take the easy path and that there won't be any problems, instead it means despite the difficulties, the Spirit will be with me - comforting, encouraging, guiding and leading me through. It's th… Read more »
Aug 8
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jason added a text contribution How To Come To ChurchOne of the things that gets me is the number of people who show up for a church service expecting to "endure" it but not expecting to "enjoy" it. Here we read about Simeon - a righteous and devout man. The Spirit of God was on Him, and directed him. Most likely, that's why so many people just go through the motions of going to church, but miss out on the power of God while they're there - they're NOT righteous, NOT devout, and NOT submitting to the Spirit.… Read more »
Aug 4
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jason added a text contribution Jesus Distressed and Troubled?Jesus, the God-man, despite knowing the ultimate outcome, was seriously upset at the prospect of what was about to happen. He was human. How often have we been assured of God's care, comfort and control over our lives - even shared that truth with others - but when facing our own personal situations, we doubt, get deeply distressed and are troubled? Those feelings are OK and they're normal, just don't let them paralyze you and keep you from moving forward into the difficulties… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution He Knows Where To Find What We NeedIt's so easy to gloss over this part of the story, but I find it amazing that Jesus can send two guys into the city to look for one guy carrying a jar of water and then follow him and ask the owner of whatever house he goes into where his guest room is. Oh, and when the owner shows them, the room will already be setup and furnished and ready. Does anybody else find that pretty amazing? God hasn't changed. He still knows where (and how) to find what we need. Read more »
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jason added a text contribution Still HereThis is one of those comforting verses about my faith. It's been nearly 2000 years since Christ spoke and these words were recorded in written form. We have more documents supporting Scripture than any other ancient text, more archaeological evidence, and still more questions. Some people focus on the questions and forget about the already existing supporting evidence. But it all comes down to this one fact, Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' words, the Word of God, will n… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution The Church Isn't a BuildingAs Jesus walks out of the place of worship, the temple, the comment is made that the building look great. Then Jesus, even though He actually agrees that the buildings are great, points out that they're just buildings and are going to be torn down (which they were when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD). But the church isn't a building - it's the people who are part of kingdom that the gates of Hell won't overcome. There's nothing wrong with a church building but having… Read more »
Aug 1
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jason added a text contribution There He Goes AgainEver been around people who are predictable? Get them in a given situation and you can pretty much know what they're going to do, because that's what they always do. Looks like Jesus was like that too. Seems like every time a crowd gathers, He teaches them. A couple translations word it, "As was his custom, he taught" Makes me ask myself what my "custom" is. What do I usually do when I'm around people? Do I make the most of every opportunity and teach p… Read more »
Jul 31
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jason added a text contribution Worthless, Vile, Wicked, GodlessThere are so many options when it comes to entertainment - TV, movies, music, clubs, theme parks, video games, sporting events, theater, concerts, etc. How do my choices measure up against this Psalm? I've been struggling lately especially with movies/TV choices. The ESV in verse 3 says, "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless" Makes me question whether my entertainment choices are worthless. While I think it's important to laugh or relax, are there bet… Read more »
Jul 30
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jason added a text contribution Amazed or AfraidHere Jesus sets out for Jerusalem with the disciples in tow as well as others (sure a case can be made for just one group, the disciples, but an equally valid case can be made that there are two distinct groups of people here - the disciples and others) There are two different reactions. The disciples are amazed or in some translations "astonished" while others who are following are afraid. Why the difference? I think it's what they're looking at. The disciples were look… Read more »
Jul 28
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jason added a text contribution Can You See ItHow do you "see" faith? I think it's the same way Jesus did - we notice when somebody does something and acts according to their belief in God's ability. I think that's why it's so frustrating to be around people who talk like they have a great faith, but they never exercise it or put it into action. It's just like James said, "I'll show you my faith by my works." So, if you have faith, stop just talking about it or thinking about it and star… Read more »
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jason added a text contribution Would You Shut Up!?Have you ever been around when somebody's blown a secret or let the proverbial 'cat out of the bag'? Maybe you've been the one to blow it before. Honestly, how hard is it to be quiet and not say anything? Here we have a guy that Jesus heals from the most ostracizing disease you could have. He makes one simple request - don't tell anyone, just show the priest and make your offering. But NOOOOOO, the guy goes out and doesn't just tell a few people but spreads the… Read more »
User Info
Name: Jason Ebeling
User Since: September 2007
Location: North Carolina
Website: jasonebeling.com
Contributions: 65
Tags: 116