Tag: Jesus

WHERE IS HE?

By Rick Mathes

John 7:11 The Jews therefore were seeking Him at the feast, and were saying, “Where is He?”

Remember when Mary returned to the empty tomb? She said, “They have taken my Lord away.” Then Jesus reassured he He was there and heaven and earth kissed at that historic moment. There are times in the hearts of even faithful Christians, like us just can’t seem to find Him nd we feel alone, empty and depressed so we ask ourselves, “Where is He?”

There are several ways of asking. Let’s examine a few together:

Hatefully: There are certain personalities that are very demanding and sometimes harsh and impatient. I can recall meetings with Christians that got so angry they would just throw their hands in the air out of exasperation.

Tauntingly: This person keeps you on the edge. They seem to get real close to the Lord and then unexpectantly wander off.

Doubtingly: My confessing of Christ when I finally cried out to Him, “If you even exist, you have just 30 days to prove yourself to me or I will blow my brains out.”

Humbly: I finally just put my faith in the mud, blood and tears at the foot of the cross and cried, “Lord save me!” The more I have come to know His holiness over the years, the more I have realized my sinfulness.

Lovingly: How can you approach a loving Christ nailed to a cross for you with loving appreciation that defies words? How deep is your love?

Longingly: If you will be totally honest you will have to admit that you have always wanted a God like Jesus Christ. Your heart ached for the forgiveness and love only Jesus can provide.

Let’s take a brief inventory and forgive me if I get too close but is Jesus at the bottom of your trust or do you still sing, “I did it my way.” He has to be at the root of your joys or it’s not a joy at all. It shows in your conversations. Your words are the exploration of your mind, heart and soul. They are the landmarks that point out the narrow or wide road you have chosen to travel. Then your actions are the sum total of who you are because this goes to the center of your being.

Where is He? I know, I know He’s looking for you!

WHEN HE CALLS

By Rick Mathes

Matthew 9:9 (NASB) ⁹  As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.

It never occurred to Matthew that day that his life would be changed forever. He had his CPA degree and had specialized in tax evasions. After a considerable amount of money had exchanged hands with a few greedy officials he got the most coveted criminal occupation of a tax collector. He had three sets of books. One for himelf, one for his insider official and one for the emperor. I know, because that’s what I did before I met my new boss of bosses, Jesus.

The table was set up and the taxes being extorted as usual. There was a stir in the air that the miracle worker minister Jesus would be along soon and the excitement was electrifying. Soon, it came to pass and Matthew’s eyes met those of His Savior.

“Follow Me,” Jesus said. It was a golden moment that would never happen again. It was the Creator commanding the created. What could he do but follow Jesus? This was a no-option situation. His legs stiffened up, he stood and he followed. Something inside of him knew that Jesus would notice him and say something but to leave all and follow was not what he expected. He heard Him attentively and rose up quickly.

When the Lord calls there is no time for second thoughts. When Jesus commands you, al He wants to hear from you is “Yes Sir!” God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee.” Praise the Lord, He sent He only Son and that’s all He needed to do to get the job done.

Matthew didn’t think twice. He got up and obeyed. What we have to infer is that he believed I Jesus so I have to suppose he did some serious consideration and homework because it would be against an accountant’s character to be flighty and quick to make major decisions. Numbers-crunchers are just made to be extra careful.

Notice though with all forethought and care, he followed immediately. He didn’t give Satan any wiggle room to step between them and give him pause for another consideration. When Jesus call, you know you know! So lesson learned: hear him attentively, rise up quickly and respond immediately: got it?

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S HIS NAME?

By Rick Mathes

1 Thessalonians 4:8 (NASB77) ⁸  Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

In the days of Christ you were your name. Your parents would name you what they hoped you would become or as Jesus was named what He did become the, “salvation of His people.” Now I understand that Father god is Jehovah, the I AM that I AM, and the Son is Jesus but what is the name of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit’s job is to uplift Jesus and demonstrate the amazing anonymity of not having a proper name. I have though listed below the descriptions of the Holy Spirit’s functions but I guess He will remain nameless for eternity. How’s that for complete humility? Here are however a few appellations that were conferred on Him by out Triune God:

The Holy Spirit names might be:

• Spirit of God                            Excellent Spirit
• Spirit of Wisdom                     Spirit of Grace
• Spirit of the Lord                     Spirit of the Father
• God Spirit                                Comforter
• Spirit of Elijah                          Spirit of Truth
• Free Spirit                               Spirit of Holiness
• Spirit of Judgment                  Spirit of Adoption
• Spirit of Burning                      Spirit of the Living God
• Spirit of a Holy God                Spirit of His Son

How humble can you get but to be a nameless God? St. Francis of Assisi said it so well for us. He said, “All I want to do is go about the Father’s business and not know it” amazing grace; that is definitely humility.

And so it is with the Holy Spirit. All He wants to do is go about the our Lord’s business and five all glory to Jesus. He’s the silent warrior that no one notices.

I really believe that those who will hae the first row at the altar of Jesus will be the saints, filled with the Holy Spirit that serve Jesus all their lives and are never even noticed. Now that’s the humility of the Third Person!

 

WHAT MUST I DO?

By Rick Mathes

Acts 16:30 (NASB77) ³⁰  and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Oh, how I pray that I have the privilege of leading that last soul to a saving knowledge of Jesus as Savior and Lord. Can you even imaging the sky exploding with angels and His glorious return to at last be King of His creation without Father Lucifer and his fallen demons.

It all starts with a simple belief in Him. Face it. When all the facts are considered, it takes a thousand times more relief in absurdities than a simple trust in the proven salvation or Jesus; it’s that simple. Just trust and obey Him until you can find a “plan B” that is superior. How much fairer can I get? But if your god can’t raise himself from the dean, you have a dead god. AMEN?

Once your brain finally believes your heart needs to follow. It has to be the real thing. You can’t fake being a Christian in the face of real Christians and Christ. You can’t be part pregnant any more than you can be part Christian.

So simply come to Him and be at peace. As soon as you come into His presence you will know you know. There is no doubt or fear left in you when you exchange all you are for all He is. You leave your second nature to sin and enter your original first nature of holiness.

Doubt and fear leave you and you are replaced by belief and trust. I have been a Christian for many years and I can say categorically that Jesus has never let me down. I have no ulterior motive to pen these short writings but to have you know and experience the love and joy I have in my heart.

Put your ear to the Word of God and hear His love letter to you. Listen, learn, apply and then evaluate. This will make you stand still, drop your jaw and look to Him. You can cut any page of the Bible and it will bleed His precious blood. More than loving, ponder on what you see.

Your only option at this point will be to yield to Him. When Jesus speaks through His Word you need to carefully take notes and apply His lessons to your life. You will grow and notice that it only hurts when you grow. But praise God, Jesus never steps into the same stream twice and neither should you. Even a jailer can be saved!

WHAT ME WORRY?

By Rick Mathes

Matthew 6:25 (NASB77) ²⁵ ” For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

Worry or its companion anxiety is really manufactured fear and fear is the opposite of trust: that is sin in its most deceitful disguise. Ninety-percent of all you worry about is not going to happen and there is nothing you can do to prevent the other ten-percent. It’s all a futile waste of time. Useless energy wasted by being sucked into the devil’s most successful trap. And we fall for it all the time and become the Saturday Night Live laughing-stock of wide screen TV in hell!

Satan’s favorite ways of stealing your joy in the Lord is to drag your nose back through every rotten deed you have ever done in the past or throw you forward in time and have you “what if” every possible tragedy you can imagine will happen. It’s mental suicide to fall into either entrapment and you need to put your guard up not to waste precious time on nonsense. It is disgraceful to distrust our Lord’s love, provision and protection. In fact, it’s a crime against god Himself to let Satan take your joy of our Lord away with the mental cruelty of fear and apprehension of future events in your life.

Worrying then is a fatal sin and it grows like cancer into paralyzing fear if left unattended. It’s a disease that causes many other ills which further intrude and hamper your service to our Lord.

Manufactured fear is really no more than borrowed trouble that has no redeeming value. This self-created misery can bring all your blessing to a screeching halt. How sad the Lord must be as you needlessly fret about the tomorrows when He gave you grace for only today. Just trust that your future is in His loving care.

So take a moment to count your many blessings and take a closer look at the careful attention He provides with what only His love can. You are neither dead, nor crazy or in prison. Think back at all the horrible messes He has gently pulled you out of and rest assured that He can handle any problem on your horizon, real or imagined.

It is just flat out foolish to torment yourself over all the things that might happen and not enjoy the contentment and blessings of the moment. Smell the roses. Remember that this is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Anxiety is needless and counter-productive to your steady walk in His will. It’s just a minor obstacle the devil has thrown in your path to ruin your day. Step aside and look up. Your redeemer lives and has promised that He will never give you more than you can bear and He will always give you a way out.

Press ON!

WHAT IS WORRY?

By Rick Mathes

Matthew 6:25 ” For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

The keys to hell are doubt and fear. Doubt is the opposite of faith and fear is the opposite of trust. Worry is manufactured fear. It hasn’t happened yet and probably won’t. Ninety percent of you worry about isn’t going to happen and 10 percent you can’t do a thing about it. So in summary, worry is sinful and the root of disease that causes all kinds of ills.

This invented fear is essentially borrowing trouble. Be careful about what you needlessly worry about because it may be self-fulfilling. You just may inadvertently cause adverse circumstances to evolve in your cob-web of illusion and thus create a world of misery.

Certain people that know as “worry-warts” bring the feared problem in themselves and become convinced that this mental suicide is unavoidable. Slowly their defenses begin to drop and they become in all kinds of slow death events to materialize.

Worry is a grievous sin and very disgraceful to God. You are certifying that you don’t trust Jesus to handle your expected adversities. You are quite convinced He can’t handle this problem you are sure may happen. The whole exercise of fear before our Lord is a total waste of time.

All you are doing is committing a crime in the courts of heavenly justice. You don’t understand that it’s Satan that lives in a prison cell with his fellow Christians. You have forgotten that you dwell in the heavenlies where you trusttt   in Christ has produced generous dividends and much profit.

Why self-inflict this mental cruelty? You can be set free by confessing Jesus as your Lord and living accordingly. Anything less is spiritual cancer. Don’t be dead on your feet but be alive in your inner-most soul. It is not at all profitable to worry. When the horizon looks it’s bleakest is when you will learn “how deep is your love.” Trust and obey because there’s no other way.

 

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL

By Rick Mathes

John 3:7 (NASB77) ⁷ “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Too many people decide on their religion and place of worship like they choose a fast-food hamburger! One has lettuce and another has lettuce and a juicy pickle. This other one doesn’t have the lettuce but it has the pickle and an onion but no ketchup, and so forth. Of in other words, denominations are becoming increasingly blurry and fuzzy as churches disguise their doctrinal beliefs until it is too confusing to sort out. I call these deceitful franchises Kentucky Fried Christianity! They put a cross on the roof and open an entertainment center that lulls you to pull out your wallet and come back for some more. The laughing stock, Saturday Night Live of Hades! Demons watching other demons in the pulpits pulling in the net of those that think they are saved and aren’t. Will you pray a rosary with me? How about falling out in emotion or doing a phony altar call to impress your family and friends? Don’t get me started? Put on your seat belt!

Let’s take together a long hard look at the real deal, ready?

At the top of the list is that we were chosen to be His personally by Jesus Himself. He spoke your name from the cross and said, “This one’s for you!” His blood was the price He paid to redeem your rotten hide from the flaming clutches of the Devil and that means you are totally owned by Him.

Listen carefully to what I am about to say: When you submit to the slave-ship of Jesus, are you paying attention, “The rest of your life is none of your business.” Jesus is going to do with you what He wants, why He wants, when He wants, if He feels like it. You become completely subject to His will, whim and control. It is His way from now on, not your way. You can wiggle and squirm like a worm on a hook but buddy, you are hooked forever! There isn’t a thing you can do without total dependence on Him.

You will in His  time be called before Him to give an account of your rebellion so listen carefully to what I have feebly tried to communicate to you or you may wind up in Hell and never know what (or who) it you.

Let’s move on to an examination on this issue.

What should you do right this minute?

You must deny you’re self-hood completely. Literally give it all to Him: your family, job, friends, ambitions, etc. All need to be set aside and His purposes in your life made number one without there ever being a number 2, 3, or 4 following. All Him and not you, got it?

Think about this: Islamic terrorists willingly die for what they believe and most professing Christians won’t even live for what they say they believe. What happened to your commitment to Christ? I can answer my own question. You let the world seep in until you squeezed the blood of Christ out. That’s what is called carnal (worldly) Christian which is an oxymoron in itself. What commonality do  Jesus and Satan have; no more than light and darkness. None!

There shouldn’t be two words “believe” and “obey.” It should be one word: believeobey because if you believe, you obey. Duhh!

 

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

By Rick Mathes

Matthew 3:2 (NASB77) ² ” Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

I took a dive into the infinite bottom, the abyss of sin and survived only by the grace of God. I tried swimming to the shore of eternal life on my own but got caught up in the whirlpool of endless drowning that never ended until I finally repented of my sins and gasped a gulp of the intoxicating oxygen of glory. I became a Savior’s survivor.

It was the aftermath that perplexed me greatly because the year after I received Jesus as Lord was worse than the one that preceded this liberating event. My sinful tool-box was empty but the land-mines I had laid were all about me and ready to explode, one at a time.

My major premise to survive this certain destruction of my now vulnerable hide was: God is tht which nothing grater can be conceived. The revelation of God incarnate in Jesus put flesh on my faith and the determination of the Holy Spirit in my veins.

Where could I find real essence of repentance but in the original Greek, which I promptly researched and these are the results of my effort:

• Methameloma: regret, sorrow of the past evil course of life.
• Metaneo: reversal of the entire mental attitude.
• Epistrephomai: a change in the direction of life, one goal being substituted for another.

It is a grand-slam home run of the intellect, will and emotions that displays itself in your world-view and day-to-day life lifestyle. Beware though that Satan’s entry level to disrupt this process is your mind and emotions as you process this application to your soul.

When the house is built on a solid foundation, the sirocco winds of the desert of hell cannot take it down. The Spirit that breathed life at the first birth will breath the second time into your born again spiritual lungs and renew your soul into His image and likeness once again if you will just repent. Submission and obedience will soon follow, you can count on it!

WHAT IS MAN?

By Rick Mathes

Psalm 8:4 (NASB77) ⁴   What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?

Man lives on the fragile edge of life. His future can cut either way as God permits. The dilemma is in what he is made of. Prior to the fall he was God’s image and likeness but after the fall a deadly transformation occurred. The man became a monster!

His heart is wicked beyond measure and there is no good in him at least not enough good to be worthy to step into the Lord’s presence. Unless the mind is in motion the body and soul won’t respond. When you are blind to the Holy Spirit the Bible is just a volume of useless words. In this condition your affections are prostituted from our Lord’s approval to the devil’s revelries and shameful enjoyments.

The blind mind, paralyzes the body, pollutes the soul and enslaves the will. Satan knows exactly how to take you down. His only goal is to strip ou of every shred of righteousness so that your condition is deplorable and so unattractive that Christians will pass you by in your anguish.

The moment of truth comes when you realize you cannot better yourself. In a thought, you are not able to not sin. Helpless to every temptation, you are merely a puppet in the hands of any demon assigned to you: a plaything for sordid amusement. You cannot, I repeat, you cannot no nor ever work out your salvation by what you do. It is by our Lord’s gracious mercy alone that you can be spared an eternal death in the furnace of hades. Your only relief is to be born of God.

To survive man must have an understanding of the Word and be supernaturally enlightened. His heart needs to be renewed and his will emancipated. Then he will be able not to sin in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Face the facts:

Jesus saves us from the:

• Penalty of sin
• Power of sin
• Pollution of sin

Be the man of God He created you to be and break the cuffs that are leading you to Satan’s mansion, the Department of Corrections.

 

WHAT IS MAN?

By Rick Mathes

Psalm 8:4 (NASB77) ⁴   What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?

Man lives on the fragile edge of life. His future can cut either way as God permits. The dilemma is in what he is made of. Prior to the fall he was God’s image and likeness but after the fall a deadly transformation occurred. The man became a monster!

His heart is wicked beyond measure and there is no good in him at least not enough good to be worthy to step into the Lord’s presence. Unless the mind is in motion the body and soul won’t respond. When you are blind to the Holy Spirit the Bible is just a volume of useless words. In this condition your affections are prostituted from our Lord’s approval to the devil’s revelries and shameful enjoyments.

The blind mind, paralyzes the body, pollutes the soul and enslaves the will. Satan knows exactly how to take you down. His only goal is to strip ou of every shred of righteousness so that your condition is deplorable and so unattractive that Christians will pass you by in your anguish.

The moment of truth comes when you realize you cannot better yourself. In a thought, you are not able to not sin. Helpless to every temptation, you are merely a puppet in the hands of any demon assigned to you: a plaything for sordid amusement. You cannot, I repeat, you cannot no nor ever work out your salvation by what you do. It is by our Lord’s gracious mercy alone that you can be spared an eternal death in the furnace of hades. Your only relief is to be born of God.

To survive man must have an understanding of the Word and be supernaturally enlightened. His heart needs to be renewed and his will emancipated. Then he will be able not to sin in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Face the facts:

Jesus saves us from the:

• Penalty of sin
• Power of sin
• Pollution of sin

Be the man of God He created you to be and break the cuffs that are leading you to Satan’s mansion, the Department of Corrections.