9th June, 2008
Committed To His Example
The cause of Christ was to save this world from her sin. In John 3:16-17 we read “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
Having knowledge of this ‘love’ that Christ has shown us through His suffering proclaims to us the immense concern that God has for our character. In the serving the Lord we must also proclaim our concern for this world be living an exemplary life before all men. Jesus died and suffered many things when He did not deserve to suffer at all! He showed patience, meekness, calmness and confidence in what God had planned for the future. This was loyalty and perseverance in its truest sense. Christ took our place at Calvary and He died for our sins. This is called a substitutionary atonement. Those that follow Jesus must be prepared to suffer in this life. We realize Moses made that choice when we read Hebrews 11:25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. The suffering that we Christians partake in is a result of our doing well not a result of doing bad. If we suffer because we do bad and not say anything how will that glorify God? If we bear up under suffering for the sake of conscience toward God because we have done well we find favor with God. Jesus took all our sins and placed them on Himself so we could be called the sons and daughters of God. His wounds have healed us and we have been able to return to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. The importance in this life is that we live it as unto the Lord and having that knowledge in our hearts we should be able to bear up under circumstances that cause stress in our lives. Live a life that exemplifies Christ before all men and have confidence. God is in control of the future.
Best
Dennis
Scriptures used in this blog post are from The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thoma Nelson.
Posted at 9:20 pm | Comment (0)
20th March, 2008
Holy Week
This week, as many of you know, is a week that brings sorrow and celebration together in one place, Calvary. Yet, on Sunday we celebrate the Risen Christ Jesus! I hope and pray that everyone has a great time in what they are doing this week leading up to Sunday. Reading about what some are doing in their churches is really cool! As you read this it is either Good Friday or somewhere in time before or after Easter. I hope that we all can take a momnet out of the hectic schedules that are placed on us by ourselves or others and pray for souls to be saved throughout the world. Have fun in your preparations and celebrations!
Happy Easter
Dennis
Posted at 11:56 pm | Comment (0)
20th February, 2008
Weeping For The Lost
Jesus wept (John 11:35) He stopped and asked where they had laid Lazarus. His response was that of compassion and care. He was very much man but also very much God. His heart was touched by the afflictions of men. We as the called of Christ, the saved of the Calvary experience, the warriors of the Gospel, must look at this example of true compassion. The lost soul who cannot “roll” back the stone that holds the sin in place. The heart locked in darkness, laid to rest by the enemy of his soul. Deep in the cavern without hope and the future is black, dismal, and without chance. But Jesus of Nazareth, asked where He could find the one He sought. Then in that moment of humanity he weeps over the soul! How much can one do in that instant? Than to stop and weep for the one who He loved. Jesus asked the Father to be part of this seeking out the dead heart, the heart that is now dark and blocked with the negative and contentious values of society. He gave the glory to Him, the Father, who would bless the world with His only Begotten Son’s death and resurrection. The “Resurrection and the Life” would not just silently reach out His hand toward the tomb but would seek the Father, confirming relationship with Him for mankind to see. He speaks out and the heart is healed the body walks again in the light of His love and has hope once again. Oh, that all who read this would weep for the lost and speak unto the Father! He does listen and desires to work through all that are willing. Where are they laid? All around us, in our neighborhoods, schools, stores, and malls. Blinded by the darkenss and insecure waiting for someone to call out their name, someone with faith in God and hope in eternal salvation. Do not let the enemy convince you that men’s hearts are grown cold! This is the time of great power and anointing! Weep, I say weep, for those whom you love!
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The Amplified Bible, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 1:23 am | Comment (0)
20th January, 2008
It’s Late Into The Night - Souls In The Balance
I have again been face to face with a computer screen for about twelve hours. I am such a “geek”! New programs to learn, new designs to make and time just flies by.
I want to say that I am praying for victory in all our lives. The life of a Christian is so different today than it was a few years back. The message has not changed! The method has and so has the approach. I see so much here in Santa Cruz that often I wonder if people knew that they could be set free if they would just believe. Believe in the One True, Holy God, that loves them so much that He desires to forgive them of all their sin. I see so much in the “dirt” that I come home and pray that God would just breathe on this community and America as a whole.
There are so many “weak” Christians today that have relaxed their “standing” of beliefs! It is all comfort and pleasure! I like comfort and pleasure is really a nice addition to life, however, souls are on the scale and the weight of sin is outweighing the truth of forgiveness! My heart is heavy with the burdens of the lost. So simple, so easy, to reach out to God and be set free. Comfort and pleasure sneak up and snatch away the truth of a relationship with God. As sin grows in this country, like aides and cancer, there is cure that grows up higher than all! Nothing is higher than the Cross of Calvary and certainly nothing is greater than the Christ who died there for you and I. Tell it loud and tell it clear: Jesus cares and wants you to be delivered, happy,and living a fulfilled life!
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 12:42 am | Comment (0)
16th November, 2007
Trembling In The Presense of Mercy
“Mercy!” That is what I heard when I spoke in a church a long time ago!, Mercy! There it was again. This saintly personality sitting about four rows back on my left would say it every now and then. I noticed when most people would agree by stating ‘Amen’, she would say, ‘Mercy!’
I am reflecting on this for the purpose of making the point of how important God’s mercy is to all of us. As this word was being stated, I realized that the compassion and forbearance shown by God toward men is absolutely awesome. Mercy speaks to the issue of Propitiation (the Atoning sacrifice) that Christ did for us on Calvary! Mercy reminds us of the love God has for this world. Mercy points directly to the blood poured out that great day! So now that we have that fact down, let’s look at this: The mercy we show one another! Oops! I knew that would raise an eyebrow or two! You see we want mercy, but do we really want to show mercy that same way: On the grounds of it’s real meaning not on the grounds of a self indulged definition! Showing mercy to another is really this: showing high favor or compassion to someone. You know, to someone that you really would like to not show mercy too! It is really easy to show mercy to someone that is narly in your sight, but that does not take much “spiritual” gumption! Be really spiritual and kick the old man out of your life and let God do His thing through you! Lastly, mercy endures forever!
” Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1, NKJV)
That’s right! Each day His mercies a fresh and new. Each day we can show mercy to someone who has offended us or who is in need! Don’t ever try to fool yourself! The world needs and desires mercy! This world needs you and God desires you to show mercy!
I am glad that saintly personality did not take the common ground! Agreeing with everything. No way, mercy is what should be shown not just being agreeable.
All scripture in this journal : The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 9:04 pm | Comment (1)
3rd October, 2007
Where Are You Today Father?
I wept today. Just thinking about Him and all that He does. Why did He choose me to do this work of compassion? I am so dark inside. So much turmoil that churns deep within my soul. Yet, I weep over the simplicity of His love for my complex soul.
I must never look anywhere else but to His Grace, Mercy and Calvary!
The outcasts and downtrodden love me, but it is He I want them to love. I would not be here if He would not have called me to care for the poor. They are dirty, but I see them a s clean. They call me “dad” or “pastor Dennis,”; which I deserve no such honor. I hope that when I die I can continue to show them His love and the way into the kingdom of His Glory.
Where is He right now? I am distant from Him. Faith states in my heart that He is near. He shed His blood that all may be delivered from sin.
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 2:04 am | Comment (0)