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The answer is a relationship, not a recipe. Often people would approach Jesus looking for a recipe to eternal life, and He would show them a relationship. Even Christ's closest friends did not fully understand the way to eternal life. In John 14:1-9, Thomas and Philip expose their misunderstanding of Christ's departure. Thomas wants to know the way to where Jesus is going and Philip wants to "see the Father". Christ shows His friends that He is the beginning, the middle, and the end of their spiritual journey. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Christ does not merely 'point' to the way to heaven but "is" the way. We are most fulfilled in our life when we are most at peace with Christ. In Matthew 19:16-26 a young man approached Jesus asking for a 'recipe' into heaven. Jesus gave this young man some pretty strict guidlines and the young man left discouraged. Then Jesus explained to His disciples that on our own - this recipe is impossible, but with God - all things are possible! Not everyone can follow a 'recipe', but all people can follow a relationship. We are inadequate within ourselves to follow Christ and obey His desire, but with a relationship, this can be possible. All of us value relationships in our life becuase they are enjoyable, and life-giving. God knows that we love relationships because He loves relationship and he made us to have a relationship! We need to put down our 'recipes' for Godly living and look at our relationship with Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I hope you know Him :) - PETE

Before Christ was led to the cross - he wanted the people to recognize Him as their KING. Looking at Luke 19:29-44, just days before His crucifixion, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem which we recognize today as "The triumphal entry". The crowd praised Him as King and Messiah. But as Jesus entered into the city - he wept. His words explained his sorrow: "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." The critical mistake of the people is that they failed to recognize the spiritual implications of His arrival. He did not come at this time to bring peace on Earth, and put to rest their physical enemies, but to bring peace to their hearts and triumph over hate with love, over error with truth, and over death with life. Christ wanted them to grasp that day, that He was the King of Peace in a spiritual sense. But it was hidden from their eyes, because they sought after a physical King to take rule over their country. Imagine their confusion as they praised Christ as king and then saw Him put to death only days later. He wept because they failed to see the spiritual connection – they trusted in Christ only in a physical sense – when it was their spiritual well-being that was in danger. We must consider it a discipline to remove from our eyes the things that blind our vision of the King of Peace in our lives. Are we focusing too much on physical blessings, and expecting Christ to be King of our life, when we must first make Him King of our hearts! I pray that you would see today what will truly bring you peace - peace that lasts! This peace comes from walking with Christ the King, every day. -PETE

Do you ever feel like you are playing 21 Questions with God? It's that game that we play to try to figure out what the other person is thinking of by asking a series of questions hopefully leading us to the right answer. We have so many questions for God: What is your plan for my life? What is the point of this? Why do you let this happen to me? Why won't you just make sense of it all? We feel "in the dark" with God and this causes us to doubt and question His involvement in our lives. Jesus' disciples asked a lot of questions that were rarely given a plain answer. On His last night with them, Christ determined to explain to them that a day is coming when it would all make sense. In John 16 verse 23-25: Jesus says that [a day is coming when they would not ask any questions...but that they would be told plainly of the father.] Earlier, Christ explains that the Spirit of Truth would come and guide them in all truth. After ascending into heaven, the disciples were guided by the Holy Spirit, which is given to all that put their faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit ministers to our heart by guiding us to the truth about God. When we are not 'Walking by the Spirit' we lose focus and try to make sense of our current situation by only our common sense. This leads us to ask questions that God intended us to never ask as Christians. God desires that we be so closely connected to Him that His purpose for us is made clear. His purpose for us to know Him, as Christ knows Him - with unending communication. When I feel "in the dark" with God, I soon realize that I've been trying to figure things out on my own common sense, rather than allowing my intimate relationship with Christ guide me. I hope you all have a blessed day. --PETE

"Jesus hung out with drunkards, prostitutes, sinners. He was tempted to get drunk, gossip and slander, he was tempted to have sex, he was around beautiful women...And the beautiful thing about Jesus, and how he was different than you and I, is that he never gave in. When You and I give in.. He doesn't. Jesus went all the way and fought against sin. He lived a perfect life but he KNOWS what that sin is. When you feel like gossiping, binge and purging, lusting, or any type of temptation, Jesus knows what that feels like. What's the difference between temptation and sin? Temptation is the opportunity sin is acting on that opportunity. There is nothing wrong with temptation everybody faces it. It's not a sin if you are being tempted to sin its a sin when you act on that sin. Jesus knows where you are, he's been there and he can relate. I take great comfort in that, and you should to." Excerpt from Matt's Message.
[comment on this podcast]

This is a photo that I found of Dr. Von Strawsenburger, and his young nephew visiting from Germany, Victor Von Schtreiker (world renown Blow Gun Hunter). I found this on an abandon camera out in the desert. I found a video tape that must have been Dr. Von Strawsenburgers... and it has 3 recorded journals about his search/hunt for "Harry". It's a little disturbing, so I'll bring it to you soon for you to see. I don't think we should call the authorities yet... until we do a little more research."

[goto the "In Search of Harry" page]

posted by -> wam  # 1:06 PM 0 Comments