(December 31, 2004 6:36 AM CST)
Yesterday it got up to 64 F degrees here in Omaha.
Jesus said,
Jesus suffered for us.
I just had to go walk around the block.
It was so unusual to see the Christmas decorations
up close on a warm day.
It was very nice out.
"Thus it is written
that the Messiah must suffer and
rise from the dead on the third day.
In his name,
penance for the remission of sins
is to be preached to all the nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of this.
See, I send down upon you
the promise of my Father.
Remain here in the city
until you are clothed
with power from on high."
Luke 24:46-49
He died on the cross.
He rose from the dead.
He came to save us.
He made a promise to us.
He sends the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Thank you, Jesus.
You are so good and kind.
Thank you for all that you do for us.
(December 30, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Sin is a sickness.
"People who are healthy
do not need a doctor;
sick people do.
I have come to call sinners,
not the self-righteous."
Mark 2:17
It causes you pain.
It knocks you down.
You need to be healed.
Go to the divine doctor.
Jesus will heal you.
Ask him to forgive your sins.
Get up.
Be healthy.
You can walk again.
Jesus is with you.
(December 29, 2004 6:17 AM CST)
Jesus said,
Spread the good news.
"Full authority has been given to me
both in heaven and on earth;
go, therefore, and make disciples
of all the nations.
Baptize them in the name
of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to carry out
everything I have commanded you.
And know that I am with you always,
until the end of the world!"
Matthew 28:18-20
Make new disciples.
Baptize them.
Call on the Holy Trinity to bless them.
Teach them.
Tell them the promise ---
Jesus is with us always.
(December 28, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
"See how tiny the spark is
Be careful what you say.
that sets a huge forest ablaze!
The tongue is such a flame."
James 3:5-6
Choose your words carefully.
Use your words to build up
instead of tear down.
Be positive.
Be an encouragement to others.
Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you.
Build the kingdom of God.
Help it to grow.
(December 27, 2004 6:12 AM CST)
We pray today for the many people killed
"Reform your lives!
May you be refreshed.
by the
earthquake in Asia
.
God be with them and their families.
Turn to God,
that your sins may be wiped away!
Thus may a season of refreshment be granted you
by the Lord when he sends you Jesus..."
Acts 3:19-20
May a new season begin.
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
He will renew your life.
(December 26, 2004 6:26 AM CST)
"Suddenly, there was with the angel
It happens quickly...
a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in high heaven,
peace on earth
to those on whom his favor rests.'"
Luke 2:13-14
in the blink of an eye.
The glory of the Lord is revealed.
The angels are suddenly singing.
Heaven and earth rejoices
at the birth of the baby in Bethlehem.
He will bring peace to our souls.
(December 25, 2004 6:40 AM CST)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
"While they were there
Happy Birthday, Jesus.
the days of Mary's confinement were completed.
She gave birth to her first-born son
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them
in the place where travelers lodged."
Luke 2:6-7
You came to visit us on this earth,
but we had no place for you to stay.
We were not prepared.
We are sorry we did not recognize you.
We should have welcomed you.
We should have provided a proper place
for you to be born.
Please, forgive us.
Help us to see you in the future.
Point out things of importance to us.
Let us know that it is you.
We look to you for wisdom.
You are our hope.
We can't live without you.
Welcome to the world.
Welcome into our hearts and lives.
Have a happy birthday today.
(December 24, 2004 6:28 AM CST)
Here is a story that was told last Sunday
He became one of us.
at church at Girls and Boys Town
during the sermon:
"Bob Gilbert tells a true story about a little girl named Amanda who lived near the beach. She had a grandpa she loved very much and she always looked forward to visiting him. Her grandpa had a collection of hourglasses and Amanda always had fun turning them upside down and watching the sand sift through.
Once she asked her grandpa why he had all those hourglasses. He said they reminded him just how precious time is.
It was getting very close to Christmas, and the little girl had not seen grandpa for weeks. Eventually her mother told her that granddaddy was in the hospital because he was very sick and he might die. The little girl wasn't sure what death was. Her mom said that life was like one of grandpa's hourglasses and that he had very little time left.
Amanda's mom said that they were going to visit grandpa that afternoon. So the little girl spent the rest of the morning working on a special Christmas present for her grandpa.
When they got to the hospital, the little girl gave her grandpa a beautifully wrapped box. Her grandfather slowly unwrapped his present and looked inside and smiled. Amanda had filled the entire box with sand."
"The Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we have seen his glory:
The glory of an only Son
coming from the Father,
filled with enduring love."
John 1:14
Jesus came down from heaven.
He was born of Mary.
He did not have to do that.
He did it out of love.
He loves us that much.
Just like Amanda
he wants to give us time.
He wants us to have life that never ends.
It is the gift of eternal life.
(December 23, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
"The light shines on in darkness,
The last few days have been
a darkness that did not overcome it."
John 1:5
the shortest days for daylight in the year.
Light is at a minimum and
darkness is at the maximum.
Into this time of the year comes Jesus ---
he is the light of the world.
He comes to brighten our lives.
He brings us hope.
Thank you, Jesus, for the light.
You are so needed in our world.
Come, Lord Jesus.
(December 22, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
"All this happened
This was a prophecy.
to fulfill what the Lord had said
through the prophet:
'The virgin shall be with child
and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,'
a name which means
'God is with us.'
When Joseph awoke
he did as the angel of the Lord
had directed him and
received Mary into his home
as his wife."
Matthew 1:22-24
The prophet Isaiah said it would happen.
This was 700 years before Jesus was born.
God was with them in the darkness.
When the time was right Jesus came to his people.
He rescued them.
He saved them from the darkness of sin.
Jesus, thank you for coming into our world.
Thank you for changing our lives.
Forgive our sins.
We want to see the light of your love.
Wake us up, Lord.
We want to see the truth.
(December 21, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
"The Lord himself
Immanuel means "God is with us."
will give you this sign:
the virgin shall be with child,
and bear a son,
and shall name him Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14
He is here.
He is not far away.
He is by your side.
Rejoice.
Jesus has come to save us.
Thank the Lord.
Praise him for his goodness.
(December 20, 2004 6:16 AM CST)
"Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
The Lord is coming.
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."
Isaiah 35:4
He will come to save you.
He might look like a little baby,
but he rules the universe.
Don't be afraid.
Be strong.
The Lord is coming soon.
His name is Jesus.
(December 19, 2004 6:22 AM CST)
Are you ready for Christmas?
"Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
Joseph and Mary had to travel to another town.
Are you ready to welcome Jesus
when he is born?
to Judea, to David's town of Bethlehem ---
because he was of the house and lineage of David ---
to register with Mary, his espoused wife,
who was with child."
Luke 2:4-5
It was difficult for Mary who was pregnant.
Then when they arrive there is no place to stay.
It is 6 days to Christmas.
Will you prepare a place for Jesus to stay?
Will you make room for him in your life?
(December 18, 2004 6:25 AM CST)
I got to see the inside of emergency room 15
"Every one of us will have to give
We have been given so much time
at Bergan Mercy Hospital yesterday afternoon.
They were running tests on one of my relatives
and then sent him home.
an account of himself before God.
Therefore we must no longer
pass judgment on one another.
Instead you should resolve
to put no stumbling block or hindrance
in your brother's way."
Romans 14:12-13
and so many talents.
What are we doing with our lives?
Examine yourself before it becomes an emergency situation.
Are we living up to what God expects of us?
Are we leading others closer to Jesus
and the true meaning of Christmas?
(December 17, 2004 6:19 AM CST)
We welcome Sarah to the world
"God called you
You are called.
who was born two days ago.
God bless her and her family.
through our preaching of the good news
so that you might achieve
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Thessalonians 2:14
The Lord is calling you.
You are called to service.
Give to the Lord all that you are.
You will see the glory of the Lord.
You will achieve great things.
(December 16, 2004 6:20 AM CST)
This morning I'm reading about Alek Komarnitsky
Jesus said,
You have been given a big responsibility.
of Lafayette, Colorado.
You can control his
17,000 Christmas lights display
.
(Update 12-31-2004 7:16 am:
This was found out to be a hoax.
You could not control his Christmas lights.)
"I entrusted to them
the message you entrusted to me."
John 17:8
You have the message.
You know all about the true meaning of Christmas.
What will you do with it?
Will you bury/hide/ignore the message?
Will you light up the neighborhood like Alek?
Share the message entrusted to you.
(December 15, 2004 6:18 AM CST)
"Show us, O Lord, your kindness,
The Lord is kind.
and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the Lord --- for he proclaims peace.
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope."
Psalms 85:8-9
The Lord is full of mercy.
He gives us hope in difficult times.
He gives us peace.
He promises us salvation.
He gives us life that never ends.
He is faithful.
The Lord is our hope.
(December 14, 2004 6:14 AM CST)
11 F degrees?
"Bow humbly under God's mighty hand,
Give your cares to the Lord.
That is getting cold out there this morning.
so that in due time
he may lift you high.
Cast all your cares on him
because he cares for you.
Stay sober and alert.
Your opponent the devil
is prowling like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, solid in your faith,
realizing that the brotherhood of believers
is undergoing the same sufferings
throughout the world."
1 Peter 5:6-9
He will take care for you.
Be alert.
Stand up to evil.
Push it aside in the name of Jesus.
Do what is right and pleasing to the Lord.
Be solid in your faith.
Yes, you will suffer,
but the Lord is there to see you through.
Offer your suffering up.
Be strong in the name of Jesus Christ.
(December 13, 2004 6:14 AM CST)
"Pray perseveringly,
Do you go through entire days without prayer?
be attentive to prayer,
and pray in a spirit of thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2
Do you ever think about Jesus,
as you go here and there?
You need to pray.
Sit down and give it your whole attention.
Set aside time each day.
Focus on the Lord.
Thank the Lord for making you.
Talk to him.
(December 12, 2004 6:38 AM CST)
Last night I watched the old movie
"Once there was a rich man
We in the USA have a lot.
Citizen Kane
made in 1941.
You hear the name Charles Foster Kane
over and over in the movie.
Was he that important?
He only thought of himself and his power.
You can have all the things of the world
and be very unhappy.
You can be so empty and lonely.
You talk about someone
who gained the whole world
and lost his soul...
who dressed in purple and linen
and feasted splendidly every day.
At his gate lay a beggar named Lazarus
who was covered with sores.
Lazarus longed to eat the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table."
Luke 16:19-21
We are very well off.
We have an abundance of things.
We need to be aware of those in need.
We should help the poor and hungry.
Jesus, help us.
We are so attached to the things of this world.
We need to learn to share.
Help us, Lord Jesus.
(December 11, 2004 6:30 AM CST)
This morning I am going on a retreat at our church.
"Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples
Follow Jesus.
Pray for us as we strive to draw closer to Jesus
during this Advent season.
Thanks.
and said to them:
'If a man wishes to come after me,
he must deny his very self,
take up his cross,
and follow in my steps.
Whoever would preserve his life
will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and the gospel's, will preserve it.
What profit does a man show
who gains the whole world and
destroys himself in the process.
What can a man offer
in exchange for his life!'"
Mark 8:34-37
Take up your cross as he did.
Walk with him.
Learn from him.
Give your life to him.
Lose yourself in him.
Let go of the things of this world.
Your life is so important.
Preserve it in Christ.
(December 10, 2004 6:21 AM CST)
Pray for someone I work with
"Paul asked,
Do the will of God.
that is having surgery today.
God be with her and the doctors and nurses.
'Why are you crying and
breaking my heart in this way?
For the name of the Lord Jesus I am prepared,
not only for imprisonment,
but for death, in Jerusalem.'
Since he would not be dissuaded,
we said nothing further except,
'The Lord's will be done.'"
Acts 21:13-14
Do what the Lord asks of you.
It will not be easy.
You might have to suffer.
The Lord is there.
Jesus is there by your side.
Just keep repeating to yourself,
"I can do all things through
Jesus Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
(December 9, 2004 6:14 AM CST)
Billy Graham
has TV programs this week.
Jesus said,
You know all about Jesus.
I just tried to look it up and
their web site is down right now.
(Update 12-10-2004 6:42 am:
Here are some times on cable TV:
Friday, December 17 on WGN
8 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. CST / 6 p.m. MST / 5 p.m. PST
Saturday, December 18 on PAX
8 p.m. EST & PST / 7 p.m. CST & MST
Saturday, December 18 on The Inspiration Network
9 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. CST / 7 p.m. MST / 6 p.m. PST )
"I entrusted to them
the message you entrusted to me."
John 17:8
You know how wonderful he is.
You have been given the gift of eternal life.
It has been entrusted to you.
Will you pass this message along?
Will you give the gift that keeps on giving?
Share the message.
(December 8, 2004 6:21 AM CST)
Pray for someone I work with.
Jesus said to Martha,
Believe in Jesus.
His mom died two days ago.
God be with his family and comfort them.
"I am the resurrection and the life:
whoever believes in me,
though he should die,
will come to life;
and whoever is alive and believes in me
will never die.
Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26
Trust in him.
He has promised you eternal life.
He rose from the dead.
He is life to the max and more.
Believe him.
(December 7, 2004 6:15 AM CST)
This morning I'm reading about
"As the lightning from the east
Are you ready?
Lumigan
.
This is a medicine to help
lower the pressure in my right eye
which was at 30 yesterday.
You put one drop in the eye at night.
flashes to the west,
so will the coming
of the Son of Man be."
Matthew 24:27
Are you prepared?
Jesus will suddenly appear.
He will surprise you.
Will you see him clearly?
Are you ready to receive him?
Prepare yourself for his coming.
(December 6, 2004 6:10 AM CST)
"Then Jesus reentered the boat,
Sin does exist.
made the crossing,
and came back to his own town.
There the people at once brought to him
a paralyzed man lying on a mat.
When Jesus saw their faith
he said to the paralytic,
'Have courage, son,
your sins are forgiven.'"
Matthew 9:1-2
Jesus came to earth to free us from sin.
There are those who live as if there is no sin.
Then why did Jesus suffer and die for us?
Have faith.
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
This is very important.
You need the healing of the Lord like the paralytic.
You need to walk again in the light.
Jesus, forgive me for I have sinned.
Heal me.
Restore me, Lord.
Increase my faith in you.
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins.
(December 5, 2004 6:50 AM CST)
"A voice cries out:
The path of life has ups and downs.
In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!
Make straight in the wasteland
a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all mankind shall see it together;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Isaiah 40:3-5
We will have mountain top experiences.
We will have difficulties.
All the time the Lord is there.
His voice is crying out.
Fear not.
He is with you.
His glory is there, if you look closely.
Go straight to the Lord.
Listen to him.
(December 4, 2004 6:33 AM CST)
"Praise be the God and Father
It is there waiting for you.
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he who in his great mercy
gave us new birth;
a birth unto hope which draws its life
from the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead;
a birth to an imperishable inheritance,
incapable of fading or defilement,
which is kept in heaven for you
who are guarded with God's power through faith;
a birth to a salvation which stands ready
to be revealed in the last days."
1 Peter 1:3-5
It is more than you can dream of just sitting there.
It is yours.
It is a free gift.
You can't earn it.
Jesus gives it to you for free.
Will you accept this new birth?
Will you open your heart to new faith?
It is there.
Are you ready to receive it?
Jesus, give me this new birth.
I need you.
(December 3, 2004 6:22 AM CST)
It was 3 to 2 in racquetball last night at the YMCA.
"Tell those who are rich in this world's goods
The Lord will provide for all your needs.
I won.
It was fun.
not to be proud,
and not to rely on
so uncertain a thing as wealth.
Let them trust in the God
who provides us richly
with all things for our use.
Charge them to do good,
to be rich in good works
and generous, sharing what they have.
Thus will they build
a secure foundation for the future,
for receiving that life which is life indeed."
1 Timothy 6:17-19
He is good.
He is thoughtful.
In turn be generous with what you have.
Share your blessings with others.
In doing so you will find life.
You have a future.
That is life...life indeed.
(December 2, 2004 6:16 AM CST)
Paul said,
Paul was wrong.
"For my part,
I once thought it my duty
to oppose the name of Jesus the Nazorean
in every way possible.
That is just what I did in Jerusalem."
Acts 26:9-10
He was confused.
He was going the wrong way.
He even fought the Lord.
He attacked those who believed in Jesus.
Then he saw the light.
Jesus asked him directly
why he was persecuting him.
He found out the truth.
Paul did a 180.
The Lord has a way of doing that to people.
Paul turned toward the Lord.
He surrendered his life to Jesus.
He shared the story of Jesus with all that he met.
The turnaround was amazing.
It was night and day.
Jesus is the way.
Go his direction.
(December 1, 2004 6:16 AM CST)
"Jesus said:
You may desert the Lord,
'You have come out to arrest me
armed with swords and clubs
as if against a brigand.
I was within your reach daily,
teaching in the temple precincts,
yet you never arrested me.
But now, so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled...'
With that, all deserted him and fled."
Mark 14:48-50
but he will never leave you.
You may be unfaithful,
but he is always faithful.
You may turn from the Lord and run,
but he is there waiting to welcome you back.
He is there daily teaching,
if you would only listen.
He is within reach.
You can touch him.
Read the Scriptures.
Fulfill your destiny.
