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    • Always and Never

      Posted at 9:06 am by sneuhofer, on February 21, 2019

      The Truth about the words Always and Never

      John 5:17 (NIV) “In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

      Do you use the words “always” and “never” to describe a habit or a character trait you or someone close to you may have? For example: “He is NEVER going to change. He will ALWAYS be that way.”

      I have used these very words more times than I can count. Something happens and I revert to the old adage “THAT will NEVER happen.” Or “I am ALWAYS going to be this way.” Or “She will NEVER change.”

      This morning, I had to go to the dictionary to determine what these words actually meant.

      always (adv): Perpetually; throughout all time. 2. Continually; without variation.

      never (adv): Not ever; not at any time; at no time. It refers to the past or the future.

      Whoa… did you catch that? These definitions tell me these two words, when used to in the context of my examples above, offer little hope for the person plagued by the ALWAYS and/or NEVER statement. As I looked through the lens of the Bible this morning, I was reminded of the simple truth that GOD is ALWAYS at work. Now this is an ALWAYS I like. If God is ALWAYS at work in me and in the people around me…then people CAN change.Based on this morning’s revelation, I am going to, with Christ’s help, eliminate the words ALWAYS and NEVER from my vocabulary once and for all as they relate to negativity about me or those around me.

      Moving forward, the ALWAYS and NEVER statements I choose to focus on are the ones found in the truth of God’s word:

      John 5:17 – My Father is ALWAYS at work

      Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

       

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      Posted in people can change | 0 Comments
    • Jesus is the Reason

      Posted at 8:10 am by sneuhofer, on December 6, 2018

      Isaiah 9:6 (HCSB) “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

      As we approach Christmas I can’t help but think about the reason we, as Christians, celebrate the season. It’s the day we celebrate the humble birth of Christ. Foretold in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, a child would be born and the government would be on shoulders and there would be endless peace.  When Isaiah wrote these words it was a time of great darkness for Israel.  God promised to send a great light whom would shine on everyone living in darkness, yet it would be another 750 years before Jesus was born.

      Jesus came to earth in the humblest form possible, a baby. He came to teach us and to show us the example of how to live a God-centered life.  While He was the greatest example of how to live in a Godless world, did you realize He had a specific mission statement?  It’s found in Luke 4:18 – 19 ““The Lord has put his Spirit in me, because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to tell the captives they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. (prophesied in Isaiah 61:1) God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly (prophesied in Isaiah 58:6) and to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness.” (prophesied in Isaiah 61:2)

      Jesus came to earth to:

      • Tell the good news to poor
      • Free the captives
      • Heal the blind
      • Free the oppressed
      If you read through the Bible and look at Jesus’s 3-year ministry here on earth, you will see that he accomplished each and every part of that mission statement. He told the good news of God’s love and how it was available to everyone (Matthew 11, Luke 7).  Just as God had delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, Jesus freed people from whatever held them captive such as guilt, shame and condemnation (woman at the well as told in John 4, the adulterous woman as told in John 8). He healed their diseases, infirmities, and gave sight to the blind (Matthew 12, Matthew 15, Matthew 21). Furthermore, Jesus healed the spiritually blind. Meaning, Jesus allowed many to see that true worship of the Father must be in spirit and in truth…  it’s a relationship…  not perfectly keeping a set of laws and rules. Jesus also came to set us all free from the oppression of sin. He bore our sin and paid our debt in full when he willingly gave his life in exchange for ours on Calvary’s cross.
      That’s one hefty mission statement wouldn’t you say? After his resurrection, Jesus gave all of us a mission statement too.  It’s called the great commission and it’s found in Matthew 28:18 – 20.

      “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”

      Jesus walked this earth for just a little while, 33 years in fact. While he was here he provided us with the example to follow. I know what some of you must be thinking, “how can I tell anyone about Jesus, they will think I am just forcing my ‘religion’ on them.” I hear you…but if you look at the life Jesus led, He met people where were and they responded to him. He cared for them and met their needs. He didn’t hit them over the head with a 2-ton scriptural scroll. He spent time with them, loved them and told them the truth. We can do the same with the people we come in contact with. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

      Build a bridge then tell your story

      A few years back I was talking to a co-worker. She told me about a situation she was going through as a result of a bad decision she had made. I could completely relate. I too have made the same bad decisions. As we continued to talk she asked me how I stopped making those bad decisions. When she asked the question, the door was open for me to tell her about “my encounter with a man named Jesus who changed my life and the way I looked at things.” I didn’t hit her over the head with a Bible, I simply told her my story. I don’t know if she ever accepted Christ as her Savior because she left to work on her nursing degree, but I built a bridge to Jesus. She knows she can trust me and talk to me about anything. My prayer is that one day she will come to know the Jesus I know.

      Today, how can you build a bridge to someone in need of Christ’s love? Look for a way to tell someone your story.

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      Posted in tell your story, why Jesus came to earth | 0 Comments
    • Jesus…our example

      Posted at 5:45 am by sneuhofer, on November 7, 2018

      John 13:14 – 17 (NCV) “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

      Today’s reading: John 13: 1- 17

      Jesus is our example to follow. He gave up the perfection of heaven to come to an imperfect world and show us the way to live, love, and serve. The biggest example of serving others is displayed in the verses of John 13:3-17. As we read, we see Jesus and his disciples gathered around the table for the evening meal. Jesus was fully aware of the circumstances he would face. In fact, the things he would walk through wouldn’t be easy…but in a few short hours, he would be back with the Father in heaven. Knowing this, he still continued to teach – there was still an example to set and a lesson to be taught.

      John 13:4 (NIV) “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.”

      Have you ever wondered what the disciples may have been thinking when they saw Jesus with a towel wrapped around his waist reaching for the empty bowl? Sometimes I wonder if they even questioned why he had gotten up from the table.

      Jesus reached for a pitcher of water and filled the bowl then began to take on the job of the lowest servant in the house…foot washer. Whoa… can you imagine what is going through their minds? Peter’s boldness breaks through the silence “You will never wash my feet—ever!” I love Peter’s zeal! Jesus replied, “Peter, you don’t understand what I am doing now, but you will later.” (v.7)

      Jesus is right Peter doesn’t get it. “No Lord you will never wash my feet.” He must have been confused about what he saw. Why would Jesus take on the job of a servant?

      “Peter, if I don’t wash your feet you’re not one of my people.” There is an immediate change in Peter. Can you just imagine him standing there with his arms open wide “Wash all of me, Lord!” The disciples didn’t yet understand what was happening but they would soon find out. Jesus responded “After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet.” (v.10)

      That night, before he ever washed the first foot, Jesus knew one of the twelve would betray him and one would deny him before morning, yet he still washed all of their feet. He cleansed their sin. He forgave them. By morning, Judas would hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver and Peter would reject him three times.

      It is so important to remember the fact that all twelve of his disciples were present in the upper room that night. Have you ever let that little detail sink in? Perhaps you feel as if you’ve done something so horrible, so detestable, that Jesus will never forgive you or even love you. Think again. Knowing his disciples and what they were about to do, Jesus still humbled himself and served every one of them.

      This display of service in the upper room should be a huge example for us, as Christians. Jesus died for all of us – not just the lovable. He died for the broken, the angry, the thief,  the poor, the peculiar, the adulterer, the liar, the murderer…and yes, even the most difficult to love. Take some time to search within yourself. Are there people you don’t want to be around because you feel you are better than they are? What about when it comes to acts of service? Are there people you won’t help because you feel like they are capable of helping themselves?

      Remember… Jesus served all and he wants us to follow that example. “For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” John 13:17 (HCSB)

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      Posted in becoming like Christ, christian living, Serving | 0 Comments
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