Luke 5:23-24
"Which is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven you' or to say 'rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins — he said to the man who was paralyzed — I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home." 

Right before this miracle, Jesus healed a leper and now again we see him healing a man that was paralyzed. Jesus was in a house that was very crowded full of people teaching them. This man had his friends bring him to Jesus because they heard he was in town but when they got their they could not get in the house. If you got to a party or an event of some kind hoping to see one specific person, had no way to contact them to find them and saw they place flooded with people I would most likely give up and go home but these men were determined to the point of taking up the roof and lowering the paralytic down in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw the faith of this man he immediately forgave his sins which is once again a good reminder that works do not save us by only faith in Jesus Christ can save us from eternity in hell. After Jesus spoke those words, the Pharisees starting questioning in their minds who Jesus thought he was forgiving sins. They even thought of him to be blaspheming. Then the verses above is how Jesus responded. 

Which is easier? Jesus asked that question to the Pharisees and I ask my self the question. Then I realized the power that God has to do both of those things with just a matter of speaking. Man cannot forgive mans sins and man cannot heal a man with words a lone. We can forgive someone who has wronged us but even then, it takes a lot of strength from God to do that sometimes. Can you forgive someone who killed your child or spouse or parent or sibling? Can you forgive someone who sexually abused you? Can you forgive someone who has betrayed you over and over again? Without the power of Christ within you, probably not. We sometimes struggle to forgive one sin someone has done against us and Jesus says that he can forgive all the sins that the man has done against the Father. Now that doesn't sound so easy anymore. Jesus can heal a man by speaking. The paralytic in this story was healed at the command Jesus gave him to get up and walk. I am no doctor so I know for sure that I am not healing anyone but for the doctors and nurses our there, how many years do you spend in school studying so you can heal people? 4? 5? Maybe 6 years? And still you require machines and all kinds of medicines to help a person who is ill. Even after years and years of studying and preparation, you do not have the power to heal someone by simply speaking. 

So which is easier? I say neither, they both require more power then I have and so great of power that only God has. So often I forget that I don't have the power in me to get through a day wether easy or hard. With Christ in me, he gives me the power I need to resist temptation and to glorify God in my daily life. I don't have the strength to get out of bed in the morning but Christ gives me the strength I need. I don't have the strength to leave people I have been ministering to and with for the past 6 months. Why do we try to depend on our own strength when God has all the power we need? He created the world by speaking and he can give or take your next breath by speaking as well. Are you "paralyzed"? Jesus wants you to rise and walk and he has the power if only you have faith. 

Luke 7:50
"And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace'." 

The time is coming very close that I will be getting on a plane and leaving Kenya. After my time in Montana I will then be heading home. This simple verse has a great reminder in it for me at this time in my life and maybe for you in your life. 

We are reading about the woman who is known to be a sinner. The Pharisee said that if Jesus knew what type of woman she was, he would not let her touch his feet. Jesus then gives tells a story to make a point that this woman might have been a sinner but she acknowledges her depravity and seeks the Lord. She wipes his feet with her tears and hair, kisses his feet and puts an ointment on his feet as well. She was willing to take a low position before Jesus because she knew that he was the Son of God. Jesus concludes saying that her faith has saved her.

Notice that Jesus did not say, "your act of service has saved you". I am finishing up my time of training and serving over seas for a time of 9 months. After a month of re-entry in Montana, I will serve for two months at my church, Towamencin Mennonite Church. When I return home I need to return home in a spirit of humility. It would be so easy for me to see myself as better then some of my friends and peers because I have been doing missions work for the past six months in Kenya. It would be easy to me to enter into the mind set that I have earned my way to Heaven, I have earned salvation. 

God makes it very clear several times in the Bible that salvation is not earned but comes when you believe. Romans 10:9 says, "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved". It doesn't matter what I do while on this earth; what matters is that I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is God's Son. Eternity in heaven isn't based on what you do but what your heart says. Faith is what saves you. Faith in Jesus is what bare tees eternal life in Heaven. Faith is what gives us hope and faith is what gives us a desire to serve God while on this earth. We don't need to do good things, we just need to believe. 

Luke 1:38 
"And Mary said! 'Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." 

I love this part of the story of the birth of Christ. As a single person, I put myself in the place of Mary and try to imagine how she felt and how I would have responded. If God sent an angel to me and told me I was going to become pregnant even though I had not laid with a man I would most likely laugh. When I realized he was serious I imagine myself pleading with him to not allow that to be but to chose someone else. How would my family respond? How would my friends respond? Would they actually believe me? And I think about the looks from the public you would receive, I'm pretty sure I would respond telling the Lord it would be too much for me. But Mary's response was the response of a true servant telling God that as his servant she would do whatever he says. 

If you hire house help for your home, you expect the person to do as you ask them. Their job is to serve you. If you work in a restaurant, customers expect you to do whatever they request because your job is to serve them. If you are a believer, you are to do whatever God asks of you because you are here to serve him. How that is so much easier said then done! I have been in Kenya for almost 6 months now and I miss my family dearly. If God asked me to stay for another 6 months or even another month, I would really struggle to say yes. I would argue that I need to go home and see my family. I would remind him of my plans when I return home. I would struggle to do as he says even though, as his servant, I am to honor the request of my Master. 

I'm sure the birth of Jesus messed up her plans as well and made her lay aside some of her desires. Being a servant isn't always easier but it is important to acknowledge the plan of the Lord's as better than your own. Are we ready to say as Mary and accept whatever God has in his will for our lives? Are we able to say daily what Jesus said as he prayed before the crucifixion, not my will but yours be done? Jesus suffered for me, am I willing to suffer for God? Am I willing to say everyday to God that I am willing to do whatever it is he is calling me to? Where is my heart? Who am I serving? Am I willing? Am I available? 

While being here in Kenya, I have realized how easy it is to just get in a pattern of doing ministry and not really putting my heart into it. Everyday when I wake up I have to sit with the Lord and allow him to put my heart in a place of serving him so I am not doing it for myself but for God. God may ask me to do something that day and I tell him no, but as his servant, he knows what is best for me and I should listen to his instructions. He won't ask me to do anything impossible, even though it may seem impossible to me. I am reminded of the promise that is stated time and time again in the Bible that God will never leave us or forsake us. This promise is great in its self but then think about how many times we abandon God. We leave him, we forsake him yet he never leaves us. We chose to serve self instead of serve him and yet he asks us again to serve him. The beauty of the cross is the forgiveness that we all receive so that even when we walk away from God he accepts us back. That is a good enough reason to serve our King. Most kings don't take back a servant that walked out on him. Our perfect King does! Again I ask myself the question  am I willing to everyday die to self and tell God his will not mine? Are you willing? Am I willing? 

Numbers 24:12-13 
"And Balaam said to Balak, 'Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, If Balak should give me his houseful of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak'?"

As I read through Numbers, the story of Balaam and Balak really struck me. I have read this story and heard this story before but I never understood until now. Now that I understand better what is happening, I see an incredible example of how Christians today should be. 

Back in chapter 22 of Numbers, Balak, king of Moab, sent messengers to bring Balaam to him because he wanted Israel to be cursed. First thing I noticed is that Balaam told the messengers to just wait and did not give an immediate response but went before the Lord to seek his advice. After the second group of messengers, God told Balaam to go, so he went. Then we see that the Lord was angry because Balaam's ways were perverse. God stood in the way of him and his donkey, Balaam repented  and was willing to go where ever God said. God told him to continue on to Balak. Balak asked Balaam to curse the people of Israel but when Balaam went before the Lord, the words he relieved were a blessing. He did this three times and now we arrive at Numbers 24:12-13. 

Balak was mad at Balaam for blessing his enemies I steadying of cursing them but Balaam reminded him of what he told the messengers that he sent him. I stand amazed at the boldness and stability in Balaam's life to not give in to the pressure Balak was giving him. He reminded him that no amount of gold or silver would persuade him to go against the word of the Lord. Wow. I think about it like this; President Obama wants you to complete a task for him and you, as a believer, you feel the Lord calling you to go so you choose to make the journey there. No matter what you want to stand firm in your faith but Obama asks you to do something that would go against God and what you believe in. Now you have a choice, you can stand up for your faith and tell the president no or you can, out of fear, do whatever he says. You don't know how he would respond if you told him no to something, he is the president and could do anything to you. I imagine that was the battle inside of Balaam every time he stood and spoke a blessing instead of the curse Balak wanted. Balak was king and could have probable had him killed in that moment. 

I see how Balaam was committed to serving God yet we see their was obviously still sin in his life because God had to stop him on his journey. He immediately repented and was once again available for the service of the Lord. He stood firm and did not let authority persuade him to do other than what the Lord said. Is that what my life looks like? I am a sinner saved by grace with a desire to serve God in everything I do, but am I committed like Balaam? Being in Kenya with the purpose of doing ministry and serving God makes it easier to be committed and stand firm in what I believe because people know why I am here. But what about when I return home? Will I still be willing to stand up for what I believe to the random stranger that starts talking to me in the store? Will I still make it my purpose that everything I do is out of an attitude of serving my Lord? Will I still be committed to daily serving the Lord, not weekly or monthly but daily? It's a good question for everyone to ask, are you committed to doing whatever the Lord says? Reading the story of Balaam has been a great reminder to me to how a believer should live out his life, committed to do whatever the Lord says. 

Proverbs 8:10
"Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold" 

Proverbs 8:14
"I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength."

I read these verses this morning and immediately felt the need to reread them. God gives us so much direction I the Bible and he has been showing me more and more about the choices I should make as a believer, and the way I should respond in different situations. God is revealing these instructions to me and now I have a responsibility to act on the instruction that he gives me. Proverbs 8:10 says take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold. The word choice makes me think of having options. I am hoping to return to university when I get home to finish my degree in education. The Lord placed this on my heart and immediately my thoughts went to money. I argued with him telling him that I cannot afford it and that I will have no time to earn money. I tried to tell him I should just get a full time job and work so I could have money. Even though it sounds more desirable to get a full time job and be earning money instead of spending money,he told me what steps he wanted me to take and that was to look into schools to study at. I could choose my way and in the end have my "choice gold" or I can trust God and follow his guiding in my life and allow him to provide for my needs during my time in school. 

Verse 14 brought more understanding of why God calls us to follow his instructions and to listen to his words and his truth. Verse 14 makes following the instructions of the Lord make sense. God has counsel, wisdom, insight, and strength. God can see what I cannot. God sees the big picture and knows what is best for each of us. All through the New Testament you see him instruction us. Some that come to mind immediately are put on the armor of God, pray without ceasing, don't throw pearls to pigs, and he even gives us instructions for the church and so much more. God gets it! He understands so why do we try to reject his plans? Why do we try to do things our way? God's way is the best. A pastor said, "trust God, he knows why he is doing it" whatever it may be for you, trust God. I know what my "it" is and I know what God's instructions are and I know that he has wisdom, insight, and strength and that his best for my life is to following his instructions. I like to tell God I can't do it when he instructs me to do something that is stretching. Another pastor said, "Give up! Tell God you can't do it but you know he can". Often times what he calls us to we can't do on our own strength but we try to. Remember he is strength. All we need to ask him to help us do what he has instructed us to do. 

Psalms 18:1-2
"I love you, oh Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." 

What grabbed my attention when I read this verse was that David was expressing his love to God. He said "I love you" as if talking to him face to face. How often do I just sit in the presence of the Lord and tell him I love him? Do my actions tell him I love him? This week, we told the children that God loves them and challenged them to think of ways that they see God's love everyday. He provides food for me, he provides a house for me to live in and a bed to sleep in at night. He has given me clothing to wear and all sorts of other physical needs. He has also given me promise after promise in the Bible that I can find peace and comfort in. He forgives every one of my sins and doesn't abandon me even though I mess up time and time again. He promises to never leave or forsake us, he promises to come back for us who believe someday, he promises hear and answer every prayer. What an amazing God we serve! 

David also takes the time to recognize God for some of the qualities that he has. Rock, fortress, deliverer, place of refuge, shield, and stronghold. When I read through this list, I could not help but think of the armor God that Paul mentions in Ephesians. The shield of faith, breast plate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, and the shoes of the Gospel of peace. The armor that we put on everyday will protect us spiritually and everyone of them is from God. Your shield is your faith in God and your breastplate is righteousness which comes through faith. Your sword is the Holy Spirit that is living in each of us who believe and what holds everything together is the truth we can read about in the Bible. Everything comes back to God. 

David recognizes God as his rock. I think of the hymn that says "on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand". If I but my hope in anything I this world it will leave me unfulfilled and empty. If I put my hope on Christ and depend fully on God, I will stand firm even through the hardest of times because he is my rock, he is solid and unchanging. I love the image of God being my rock. I think of an extremely large rock that man is unable to destroy. I think of a rock that man is unable to touch me when I am standing on. Am I daily standing on the Rock? Am I putting all my hope and trust in God? Am I standing firm or am I sinking? I know some days if feel like I'm sinking but as soon as I ask the Lord for help and depend on him, he pulls me up and helps me to stand again. I think of the wrestler that had the name "the rock". It makes me think of when I was in high school and the beginning of my college days. I was dependent on being in a relationship and feeling loved by a guy. That's when I started sinking. I made people my rock and tried "standing" on them instead of standing on the true Rock who will never move or change. Don't put your hope in things of this world because they will surely fail you and let you down. Rather put your trust in God and daily stand firm on his promises and the truth that is in the Bible. 

Matthew 24:38-39
"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." 

In Matthew 24, we get a glimpse into what it will look like when Christ comes back for those who believe. In these verses I have quoted above we read Jesus comparing the return to the time if Noah. Verse 38 says that everyone was living as normal and the only odd thing was probably that Noah was building an ark. I believe everyone just ignored it after a while because they saw him as a crazy guy who thinks God told him to build something. Then, Noah entered the ark with his family and all the animals God had sent to him because he walked with God and knew what God said was truth. God said there was going to be a flood and Noah believed and did as God instructed him. The other people were unaware of the warning because they ignored God. They lived as they wanted and did not listen to the Lord or follow his lead in their lives. They were disconnected and did not know a flood was about to destroy them even though they were warned by God through Noah. 

Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Having just studied and taught thee story of Noah it made these verses mean so much more to me. I took the time to sit down and really reflect the character of Noah and the truth that can be seen through the flood. 

I encourage everyone reading this to go to Genesis 6 and read about the flood taking time to really reflect on it and not just read it as another story which can so easily happen. 

God saw Noah as righteous and wanted to save his life since he wanted to destroy the world because their was so much violence and evil doing. God heard the warning from the Lord, listened to his directions and built an ark for him and his family. As God directed him, he got on the ark, the waters came and destroyed everything on the earth that had the breath of life in it. 

God sent Jesus to earth as our Savior. He walked the earth and taught those who would listen, performed miracles, and ended up fulfilling the will of God by dying on the cross and then raising from the dead 3 days later. He ascended into heaven where he told the disciples he was going to prepare a place for them. We today have the Bible to read and to study and the privilege to talk to God through prayer. It is very clear that if you believe in the name of Jesus and that he died to pay the debt that we owe we will spend eternity in heaven. And for those that do not believe will spend eternity in hell. God has told us, we know that someday Christ is coming back and that everyone is going to one of two places. Some people, like Noah, believe and decide to serve God till the day they die or until the return of Christ. Others laugh and think we are crazy for believing what the Bible says and for saying things like "God told me...". Just like in the time of Noah, some believe and walk with god while others reject him and his warnings as to what is to come. 

We do not know the day of the return of Christ, but God says it is coming and I believe. We are instructed to be ready in verse 44 and my question is are you ready? If Jesus were to come back this very moment where would you spend eternity? I was reminded yesterday that you never know when your last day on this earth may be and honestly I want to be right with the Lord when I die. You never know when your last chance may be to share the love of Christ with someone. There are a lot of unknowns but what I do know is that Jesus is coming back someday and I am ready for his return. Don't waste any opportunities that you are given to share the Gospel with a family member, friend, coworker, or random stranger. Allow Christ to shine through you whether by actions and words. If you don't acknowledge Jesus to be your personal savior and as the one who died on the cross for your sins so that you don't have to die, I ask that you really examine your life and allow Jesus to become your everything. He is the King and he gave up his life for you, really that is remarkable. Without Christ we are dead like those who rejected God and did not get on the ark. Chose Christ today! 

After reflecting on this passage, my prayer is that I will be more sensitive to,the leading of the Spirit and that I would be bold in sharing the Gospel with everyone God puts in my path and gives me the opportunity too. Who is God putting in my path today? Who is he putting in your path? 

Isaiah 55:1
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." 

Everyone loves free things and receiving gifts. One of the best deals is buy one get one free. You are given a gift for buying a product. But this gift is only for those who can afford to buy the product in the first place. In this verse we are told to "come". Karibuni or welcome, everyone is invited. It doesn't say certain people come but it's rather like a sign that is hanging on a public board that says come to the park for a concert on a certain night. In the King James Version, it starts this verse out with "Ho!". This word was used to get the attention of the public when an important announcement was about to be made. Everyone's attention might have been grabbed but that does not mean they took what the prophet Isaiah had to say seriously. Every word from God should be taken seriously and we should act upon them yet people remain blind to the truth in them. 

The verse says everyone who is thirsty should come. Are you thirsty? I mean, everyone gets physically thirsty, but what about spiritually? God has something that can satisfy your deepest need, your need for a Savior. Oh you have no money? That's okay! God's gift is free! In this verse we see that God says specifically that those with no money can come and buy. How is this possible? God gave us all the free gift of his son Jesus who died so we can live. How great is that! It doesn't matter if your the poorest person in town or the richest because it doesn't cost any money to receive the free gift of salvation. We must be willing to die to our flesh so that Christ may live in us but faith in the Son of God is all you need and you shall be saved. 

Nothing in this world is free any more and typically if something is advertised to be free people jump at the chance to get that free product or food. Salvation is free yet people seem to be walking away from that offer. Why? Why do so many people have a great desire for free stuff but when the most lasting, permeant thing is free it is ignored and rejected? Salvation is free because Jesus willingly paid the debt that each of us owe, but when you believe in the name of Jesus, you have to lay some other things down. 

With Christ comes freedom; freedom from your past and freedom from the sin that satan tries to hold each of us in bondage to. With Christ comes leaving behind some of the things you use to do or some of the people you use to hang out with. With Christ comes a new life, a fresh start and we all have the opportunity to have it. I remember when I first started walking with the Lord, it was hard to leave behind the life I had lived before. It was hard to get Satan's voices out of my head telling me that I'm too messed up to be loved by God or anyone for that matter. Satan left me feeling low and in need and time and time again Jesus would be there telling me he could satisfy me and he always would. I remember receiving the freedom Christ desired for me to live in, when I finally laid down my past and allowed it to be my past not my future. I remember how freeing it was and how much joy I then had within me. I have to say, leaving behind my past and some friends was hard and following God's voice and leaving my family and comfort in PA was hard but God has been with me the whole time and the freedom, healing, and growth I have experienced since I choose to take a sip of the free water God has to offer has been the best gift I have ever received. 

In John, We read the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well and offering her living water. We also read in John about Jesus being the bread of life. The two things that man needs to live, Jesus has to offer and we don't have to pay a single penny for it! Reading this passage in Isaiah was such a great reminder to me about the gift that God has given me and how blessed I am to serve such a great God that he would pay my debt for me so that I may live forever for free. Have you taken advantage of the free gift God has to offer you? If you have, do you thank God for it daily? Everyday I am given the gift of life and yet it is so easy to just live and not thank the one who has given that gift to me. Before I go to bed tonight and first thing in the morning I will thank God for the life he has given me both today and for eternity. 

Exodus 34:29 
"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God." 

At this point in Exodus, Moses had come down with the 10 commandments and found the golden calf and through the tablets to the ground from the anger that the people would turn away from God when he was gone. God sent Moses back up to Mount Sinai to get two new tablets. This verse takes place when Moses had reached the bottom of the mount the second time. 

When I read this verse my imagination tries to imagine what Moses looked like when he came down the mountain. It says that he did not know he was shining so it's not like a brilliant light was radiating from him lighting up the area around him. It reminds me of the time in spent in Guatemala during training. There were two specific times I remember my friend Rachel coming up to me and asking is I had just had an amazing moment with God. Both times I had just got finished talking with God and had an amazing peace come over me from what he had showed me during my quiet time. When I would respond yes, she would say, I can tell, you are glowing. I am sure the glow on my face was nothing compared to the glow coming from Moses but what does that glow look like? 

2 Corinthians 3:7 says, "Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end" even in the New Testament you can read as to what extent Moses was shining. He was so close to God during his time on the mountain that the Israelites could not even look at him. Wow, to be in such a close fellowship with God! 

What does my fellowship with God look like? Does it resemble that of Moses that I am filled with the Spirit and shining the light of Jesus everyday? I have found how easy it is to chat with God but not fellowship with him. It's the difference between having a meaningful talk with a fiend and small talk about random things that leave no impact. When I spend time in prayer do I allow the Lord to talk to me or do I do all the talking? Do I leave enough time and focus enough on him for him to challenge me, comfort me, direct me? All these questions I challenge you to as well. What does your quiet time look like? Do you desire to be filled with the Spirit and shine the light of Christ everyday you go that day? 

Matthew 19:23
"And Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly, I say to you, only with great difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven'."

Earlier in this passage, Jesus was answering the question of a rich, younger ruler who wanted to know what he must do have eternal life. Jesus gave him 9 of the 10 commandments and the young ruler responded that ever since his youth he had kept them all. Jesus then told him to go and sell all his possessions and come follow him which caused him to be sorrowful because he was wealthy and did not know if he wanted to give up all his earthly possessions. 

In this verse Jesus has turned to his disciples and told them that a rich person does not easily enter heaven. He goes on to say that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle then for a rich man to enter heaven. When I think about a sewing needle and how hard it is for me to get a thin piece of thread through it, I cannot even  imagine the great difficulty that it would be to try to get a camel through it. That is the level of difficulty Jesus is talking about here. It is no easy task for a rich man to enter heaven, but why? 

A person with money has one of two things happen. Either his money serves him or he serves his money. It is so easy for us humans to serve our money because our flesh comes out and greed steps in. We desire more and more so we can get more and more and have bigger and better. Pastor Joe Focht from Calvary Chapel Philadelphia said that Americans worship youth, wealth, and power. We know someone who has money and we desire to know about them and who they are  and we desire to be like them. 

No doubt, their are strong believers who are wealthy and their money serves them while they serve God. Rich people can go to heaven but I can see where the struggle could come. You have all the money you need and you don't have to rely on God so much to provide the little things. Money can buy you basically anything you need or want in life, including relationships. 

I see this passage as a warning because even when money is limited, I can see how quickly and easily satan can take it and twist it so that you are serving your money, another god, instead of the one true God. Who are you serving? Are you serving God? Money? Or is there another god in your life? This passage really challenged me to observe my life and see if their is something that needs to go so that God can have the throne. What do I need to give up? What do you need to give up? What in your life may be hindering you from taking a step closer to the Lord in your daily walk?