MARGIN

Luke 6:12 It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

I was talking with one of our regular Fishersmen who described his very full weekend, with many good activities and accomplishments. But then he described being grumpy on Sunday afternoon, and he was having trouble getting out of his funk, and not grumbling to his wife and children.

We can all relate to that. It’s not as much needing ME time, as it is just having some down time, or a bit of MARGIN in our busy schedules in this hectic world. I was impressed with an Operation Timothy lesson that challenged us in, “If you only have 3 more years to live. Only 3 years to accomplish your life’s purpose, how would you use your time?” Jesus earthly ministry only lasted about 3 years, yet mission accomplished, and He saved and changed the world for eternity.

Only 3 years, but He took time out to get alone, out away from the city, to be calm, focused, and talk to Dad. How’s your margin? Too many plates spinning? Any down time,? empty box time?unscheduled reflection time available to you in the next few days? Weeks?

Retreat, reflect, refocus, recharge, talk to Dad, and perhaps you’ll be better able to accomplish the good works God has for you to walk in, that He prepared for you before the beginning of the world.

I'll be back!

When I was a young child, attending Sunday school, I must have slept through a lesson or two, because when my buddy said, "You know Jesus is coming back again sometime," I said "Where do you get that?" "You must be crazy." You see, I had heard the bible stories, but I had missed this important story. I thought we were talking about a historical figure, a teacher, a good man, the baby in the manger. I didn't know we were

talking about the risen Lord and coming future King.

Here's the story...

Jesus talking to his followers, shortly before his death and resurrection...

John 14:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Jesus to his followers, after giving them their directives...

Acts 1:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

The apostle Paul to Jesus' followers at the church in Thessalonica after they had been frightened by reports that Jesus had already come back, and that they had missed it...

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[a] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[b] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died[c] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who

are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

The Apostle John in the revelation given to him about future things seeing the followers of Christ who have risen, getting ready to participate in the wedding feast of King Jesus...

Revelation 19:6-9 New International Version (NIV)

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come,and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Friends, Mohammad is not coming back. Confusius is not coming back. Buddah may have come back as a cow or a butterfly in another life (NOT). But, Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords is coming back! And He's coming back soon!

Earthquakes in Virginia? Record Heat and Drought in Indiana?

Earthquakes in Virginia and Colorado in the same day. Record heat and dryness in Indiana. We find ourselves in a time with an explosion of the information age, and the pace of life hectic, with people rushing to and fro. The world has a lack of confidence in our financial systems and political leaders. Does the Bible have anything to say about times like these?

Romans 8:19-23

¹⁹ For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. ²⁰ Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, ²¹ the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. ²² For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,^[a] including the new bodies he has promised us.

Daniel 12:1b-4

Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. ²Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. ³ Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. ⁴ But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

Matthew 24:14

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Revelation 22:12

¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

He is coming soon! Get the word out, and walk the walk!

CONVICTION

Jesus told his followers just before His passion and return to heaven, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the (heavenly) Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” John 16:7-11

Pastor Bruce in his sermon on Sunday said, “Nobody gets saved unless they first get convicted!” Think about that… Unless we get judged in our own hearts as guilty, convicted of being sinners, missing the mark or standard of God’s righteousness; and knowing that we know that we aren’t right before God, then we won’t be ready to accept God’s pardon, Jesus’ grace, or unmerited favor in his atoning sacrifice, to be born again to new life.

Are you born again of the Spirit of God through the grace of Jesus Christ? Are you in His family now following Him? Were you convicted of your sin? Are you now a saint, because you are an Ex convict, that is, convicted of your sin, judged with the penalty paid once and for all by Christ?

If we are His, the Holy Spirit keeps on convicting us daily so that we may crucify our flesh, or natural man, and put on Jesus’ character and life. Paul says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

If you are a Christian, it means you’ve first been convicted!

Checking in with Dad

Son, David, is on some school travel out of the country, and for the first 36 hours, we hadn't heard if he made it, or what he’d been up to since he left Indianapolis. Dad's would like to know! Are you OK? Do you need anything? Are you living like you should and enjoying life?

My Operation Timothy guys and I were talking about prayer and praying last Friday morning. Prayer is really just talking with God. If you are a Christ follower, it means “checking in with Dad,” your Heavenly Father. He’d like you to report in, “Are we OK? Do you want to ask for anything? Are you living like you should, and enjoying life?”

We studied on Friday that if we're struggling with life” we can draw near to the throne of Grace with boldness, to receive mercy and grace in a time of need.” We were reminded that “if we talk to Dad, and confess our mistakes, He'll forgive us and clean us up.”

Last Thursday, David Sherron reminded us that it's good to Praise before we Petition. Tell Dad you still love Him, that you're thankful for your life, blessings, and opportunities, before you give Him your laundry list of needs. And of course, Operation Timothy talks about the A.C.T.S. of prayer: Adoration or Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplications. Are you current with your dad? Any of these areas you two should have a good talk about?

Have you checked in with Dad recently? He'd like to hear from you!

Being a Christ Follower

Pastor Bruce says,

There are 5 key aspects of being a disciple, or follower of Jesus Christ:

1. DEDICATION: Living to please God versus ourselves. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Romans 8:8

2. OCCUPATION: Working for God not only in serving at church or in the community, but viewing our career, and how we operate at work as if we are working for the LORD. Colossians 3:23

3. EDUCATION: Growing in our knowledge of God, His ways, and learning how to live successfully. 2 Peter 3:18

4. INSPIRATION: Being empowered by God to live the Christian life. Walking in the Spirit. Romans 8:4

5. CELEBRATION: Giving praise to God. Glorifying God and living a life of thankfulness. Psalm 30:4

This is genuine Christianity, being a Jesus follower, or disciple. To be a fisher of men means to be a disciple maker. Matthew 28:19-20 Helping others, family and friends live a successful, joyful life in Christ, with dedication, occupation, education, inspiration, and celebration is the real deal.

It's a great calling, and rewarding life purpose. Go for it Fishersmen!

Love Your Mother?

I saw a green bumper sticker on a car the other day that made me think. It said “Love Your Mother,” and had a picture of the earth. It made me think, “ We should love our father (Heavenly Father) that made our mother “earth” and breathed life into man long ago.

Earth Day corresponded to Good Friday this year and it made me think. The earth was cursed along with man when Adam and Eve sinned. The earth was perfect, but now it has some problems. The Bible says that creation groans, waiting for its redemption by a Savior. It made me think, on Good Friday, Earth Day, The Savior died for the sins of man, and not only redeems man, but sets the stage for the redemption of creation, including the future recreation of a new heaven and new earth.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and it makes me think. Gee, I’m thankful for my mother. A woman who loved, cared for, and sacrificed her own will many times to raise me. It made me think, “I want the Savior to bless my mother,” and, “I’m so thankful for her!”

Love Your Mother?

Love Your Mother!

Thank Dad for your mother this weekend. Tell your mother thanks, and that you love her. Tell her that Jesus loves her even more.

It makes you think!