Joseph Generation Army

On the day of Christmas Eve in 1914 during the first world war in Belgium, German troops started decorating their side for Christmas.  They placed candles on trees and kept singing Silent Night. The British troops on the other side joined the singing.  Soon they started shouting Christmas greetings to one another and arranged to meet for exchange of small gifts.

When it is about tomorrow there are two types of people.  On one hand there are people who are scared of tomorrow and constantly worry about it.  On the other extreme there are people like Paul who scare tomorrow,  who stretch ahead to catch it and subdue it.

Which one are you?....

The Jews really needed to see some fancy miracle in order to believe in God: probably healing, prophecy etc...more like a lot of people today.  The Greeks needed to be impressed by some smart orator/motivational speaker.  Both are good but those should never be the point of any sermon.  The point of all sermons should be Christ crucified.  Period.....

Someone said Jesus has to either be the true Son of God that He claimed He is  or a psychotic who has no idea what he is talking about.   Even though we know the He is the former,  that conclusion kind of makes sense from a non-believer perspective......

If you expect your life to be sunny all the time just because you are a Christian,  that is some serious misunderstanding of what being a Christian is all about.  Sooner or later it is going to snow if it is not already snowing in your life.  What you do with the snow is what makes the difference.....

  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

This is what Jesus said in Matthew 11.  I have highlighted the word "burden" that Jesus used in this verse twice.  That begs the question why we have to give up one burden just to pick up another.  Part of the answer is found in the verse itself.  He said his burden is light.  Burden and light,  except in this verse, are two words you don't often find in the same sentence.....

"Buy the truth and do not sell it"  Pr 23:23

The devil, however, will always be prowling around giving you hefty offers to sell the truth.  But "don't sell the truth" pr 23:23..... because...... "wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Pr 8:11......

Attorneys have this right called privileged communication that no body else has.  Everybody else has a responsibility to testify in court if summoned but lawyers have a legal right to hold back the truth when representing a client.  This privilege is given to lawyers so that criminals can be honest with their lawyers without any fear of judgment.....

I find what Paul said about role modeling very interesting.  He said,  "imitate me."  But he didn’t stop there.  He added,  "as I imitate Christ."  In other words,  let's all try to imitate Christ.......

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1

Here we have one of the most popular Bible verses promising rest in the Lord.  Let us take three words out of this verse and have a closer look.  The three words are dwell,  shelter,  and shadow.....

Today is Easter Monday.   Some 2000 years ago today was a happy day for the few Christians who followed Christ in those days.  It has been 24 hrs since the final and decisive event of resurrection has taken place.  Ever since then the devil has been trying to underplay the resurrection..... 

You might have heard about the movie showing on the discovery channell about the “discovery” of Jesus’ tomb and the balsphemous conclusions they are drawing.  The issue was raised in one secular forum I am a member of and below is my response regarding those claims......

Even though Jesus did not have any possession to leave behind,  He left behind something that is worth more than any possession.  He said,  “Peace I leave with you” John 14:27.  Peace is what his disciples inherited from him. 

Jesus made many claims that no one else in history ever had the guts to claim.  Others have claimed to be truthful but He claimed to be the truth. Others have claimed to give us life,  but he claimed to be the life.  Others have claimed to show us the way,  but he claimed to be the way. No wonder why,  then,...... 

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…” Luke 2:29

This is what a man called Simeon said after he received baby Jesus into his arms.  He has been waiting to see him all his life.  He found Jesus.  He took Him in his arms and he said, That is it.  I have received this Jesus.  Now BIMOTIM AYQOCHEGNIM. 

What is truth?

Pilate asked this very important question 2000 years ago.  Poor Pilate. He was torn between the truth and pleasing people.  He knew that Jesus was innocent but he had this immense pressure from the Jews to crucify him.  He thought by taking water and washing his hands he can have Jesus and also please the Jews.....

I have a house:

It is not the biggest house on the block,

The mortgage is big,

 The backyard is small,

 The fence is falling......

One of the characteristics of the peace that Jesus gives is that it transcends all understanding.  There is this other superficial kind of peace that comes from other things.  You get it and you understand why.  You have peace because you have this or you have that,  you have peace because you do this or you do that,  you have peace because you are this or you are that etc...  When those things are gone or even when you get bored with them,  the peace goes out the window.....

Here is what my Bible tells me I should have: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ” Phil 2:5 Which attitude of Christ?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Jesus not only forgives but also purifies. Jesus not only trashes our sins but also empties the trash can at a dump site called Calvary. Like most dump sites Calvary is out of town. That is where all the trashes of our lives end up......

In the world we live in, humility is not considered a virtue anymore. Try putting “humble” along with self starter, team player, quick learner etc…on your resume. People will laugh at you. Regardless, humility is a virtue. We should seek it in spite of the humiliation and embarrassment it sometimes costs.....

Have you ever noticed that Jesus said that He is the TRUTH and not just truthful in John 14:6. You see, truthful is what you become when you have the TRUTH. That is us. But Him? He is the TRUTH.