Which is it? What drives people to want to be known? Social media and technology is reaping billions of dollars off this trait of human nature! Facebook, this book, that book and every kind of platform to become known! What drives people to want to become famous? The foundation of what we do is more important that what we do! I have to examine my motives everyday! Does God want to be known? Does Satan want to be known? My best friends were not people who were driven by fame and fortune but just wanted to be my friend! Do you know how rare these people are? Like finding a needle in the haystack! We face the same challenges in ministry! If you want to know your Pastor in a large congregation you can forget it! If the Pastor wants to be known by the world but not to know you he will not take time with you! Jesus had 12 disciples and He was God! One betrayed Him! Effective ministry requires one on one! Is there a connection between knowing and wanting to be known? Why do people want to become President? To know or to be known? I cannot read motives but if you think they are running to personally know you could you be crazy? Why do I do a web site? Why do I do a Blog? God wants to be known! Believe me He does not need social media to find you! God wants to save us! Satan wants to destroy us! Satan wants to be unknown while destroying us! He wants to hide his motives through deception while destroying us! Hitler hid his motives by proclaiming he was a Christian to the German people. The Islamist claim they know God yet destroy each other and others! We live in a world where there is tension between good and evil! We all understand evil but do we understand the God who loves us and knows us better than ourselves? To understand there is one who loves us and yet completely knows our evil but has sacrificed Himself to deliver us from evil! Redemption is an overwhelming experience! To know His love and experience His love establishes a desire and commitment to live for Him and live for others! If you really want to know Him you will understand yourself better because He created you! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: disciples
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46
The word Gethsemane is a Hebrew word that means an oil press. Gethsemane was an olive garden with olive trees with an olive press most likely located on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Have you ever been severely pressed in your soul, mind and body? Ever feel like you are being squeezed to death? Combat soldiers in battle experience this as death knocks at the door. If you were being executed for a crime you committed you could rationalize that I deserve it. If you were being executed for a crime you did not commit would you voluntarily step forward for execution? That is what Jesus did for you! Jesus and His disciples entered the garden late at night. Cold and darkness surrounded them as Roman soldiers were in the hunt for them. Jesus takes Peter, James and John into the interior of the garden with him to pray. While Jesus prays he becomes exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! Let this cup pass from me but if not your will be done. Meanwhile the disciples fall asleep? Jesus cautions his disciples to watch and pray and not to enter into temptation for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus prays again the second time the same prayer. The disciples fall into sleep again! Jesus prays again the third time the same prayer. Then the Chief Priest, elders and soldiers come and take him away. In Jewish culture if you say something three times that is the most you can say it. Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? On the third day Jesus rose from the dead! Three strikes and your out. Jesus spoke to the mountain on the mountain three times and then He let God’s will and providence for His life and purpose be done! Let not our prayers be a fire escape but let His will for our lives be done so that others may benefit! When olives are squeezed they produce oil which is used for light and heat. Jesus was squeezed so you could have light in the dark world we live in. Jesus was, is and always will be the light of the world! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Hall of Fame or Hall of Flame? Matthew 11:11, 19:25
Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!” Comments; John the Baptist had a very important role in prophecy to usher in Christ. He as we have had plenty of opportunities to deny Christ and he could have saved his neck from Herod’s chopping block! But his mission was bigger than himself! Is your mission bigger than yourself? Or is your mission all about you? Later on in Matthew 19:25, Jesus explained to his disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven! The disciples threw in the towel and gave up and asked Jesus who can be saved? Jesus explained to them that with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible! I have learned over the years that sometimes our evangelism efforts seem not to work but when we turn people over to God and not play God great things happen! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
World Christian Population At 33 percent! Zechariah 13:7-9
Does one third of the world’s population being Christian today have any significance? Zechariah wrote this prophecy 500 years before there were any Christians around! Then 2500 years before Christians populated the earth at one third the total population. First the Shepherd is slain (Christ) and the flock is scattered (disciples). Then two parts or two thirds shall be cut off and die. The third part shall be left. Then I will bring the third part through the fire and refine them as silver and tried as gold. They shall call on my name and I will hear them! I will say it is my people and they shall say, “The Lord is my God!” Comment; This one third factor appears in other scriptures in the Bible and especially in the Book of Revelation. Remember that God is a Trinity! In Revelation after the rapture of His Church one third of the earth’s population is gone! Then following this during the tribulation period one third of the earth is destroyed. Why? I will let you do the math. Also Lucifer and one third of the angels rebelled against God and were cast out of Heaven. This is just an appetizer to encourage you to not only read but study the Word of God! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Who Can You Trust? Micah 7:5-7
These statements in verses 5 – 7 in Micah Chapter 7 made by Micah are reflected in the teaching of Christ to His disciples. (Matthew 10:35-37) Jesus was also showing how complete dedication to Him would bring about rejection from those close to you and even in your immediate family! The person who places family ahead of his or her service to Christ is called “unworthy.” (Matthew 10:38) The assurance is given by Micah that it is worthwhile to trust completely in God for salvation! Resting in Him is the only way to find peace, especially when a believer’s on family forsakes him or her. (Hebrews 13:5) A qualifier here is that you do not neglect, abuse or abandon your family in the Name of the Lord! I can remember when we left for India in 1984 for a 3 year commission I shared with my father that I heard from God and was sure of my calling and confirmed by other people. My father said you must have heard from the devil? I love my dad and he passed away about 4 years ago. I still love him. Point here is this comes with the calling of Christ in your life. People and family do not understand your calling and judge it prematurely! If you do not get resistance from family and others in ministry you are probably spiritually dead! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Hear It and Practice It ! Matthew 7:24-27
Here Jesus gives the final benediction. Jesus demands and compels us to take the narrow gate, produce the right fruit and make the right choice! He required of us that we build on the right foundation. We are to examine ourselves and practice Holiness. Jesus repeats these requirements a second time because they are so important. Jesus was talking to believers not non-believers. The rain, wind and storms will come to us all. Good and bad days are ahead. The wise build on the rock and the foolish on the sand. If we build on the right foundation we will thrive through the storm. We have great days ahead! We can feel His Blessings! The disciples were passionate. They did great things! There were glorious days and there was also trouble. Eleven of His disciples were martyred! One was imprisoned on a remote island in a cave. John 16:33 — Peace and Tribulation? Jesus has come to give us peace. The world gives us trouble. Jesus has overcome the world! Stay strong and keep the Faith. Nothing shall shake you! The place of stability in Christ leaves no terror. The unstable world leaves us with fear. Love and fear are opposites. How do we practice words? We practice them by doing them. Action! Breath in His Holy Spirit. Get saturated with the Gospel! Breath out and go do His Word. Are you receiving but not giving? Gandhi said,” I like your Christ but not His followers! ” Christ’s followers cannot save Gandhi but Christ could! James 1:27– Pure religion is to take care of widows and orphans. Also keep your heart pure. Find some widows and orphans! Get busy. Do! Act! Along life’s path do His Word. Do you have a vision? That vision will deceive you if you are not doing His Word! A medical doctor is useless unless he is practicing his knowledge! Luke 8:15– There are four types of soil. The seed is the word. Good soil is a pure heart. Hear His word and do something about it. Hear it, retain it, talk about it and do it. Cares of the world will choke the word. Know the will of God and cooperate and do it. Good work does not earn our salvation. But the good works help to mature us. Put your hands and feet to His Word. The Bible is a living, breathing document. The Holy Spirit puts boots on the ground through you! Live out your revelation. Matthew 7:28– Jesus taught as one having authority. It is not about Plan A or Plan B. Make disciples teaching them to obey me! Christ will be with you always even to the end of the ages. Have a secure place and build on the right foundation. What are you building your life on? What and who is shaping and forming your life right now today? Source: Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday, September 15, 2013. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
What Did Jesus Say About Following Him? Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus had a radical message! You can only enter in at the narrow way, narrow passage or narrow gate to follow me. A narrow gate would only be about the width of your shoulders. You cannot carry any baggage with you when you go through it. Following Jesus through the narrow gate requires focus with no distractions in the way. The broad road or gate leads to destruction. Jesus does and did not go this path. It is a dead end road. Few people choose the narrow gate. American culture is more Christ resistant than anytime in our history. To follow Christ today is more costly than in previous generations. We are considered radicals by our culture and ridiculed. We are considered on the outer fringes like space cadets. Did you ever notice the on-line surveys always give you a way out. You are never committed to a yes or no answer. Kind of like politics today. Christ gave His disciples no third choice. It was either Heaven or Hell. The same holds true for us today! Yes or no? Easy or difficult. Matthew 5:1-2. Jesus real audience was more than the crowds it was His disciples. They had already made up their minds to follow Him but their trust level was low. It takes time to figure out if you can trust someone. Jesus told them the Kingdom of God is right now! It was not yesterday or tomarrow. Living right now is Monday through Saturday working, school and difficult schedules. Jesus said let Heaven break into your boring day to day world. Jerusalem has 12 gates. The wide gate is the most used gate. Examples today are convenience stores, shopping malls, fast food, ect. We like the best paved roads with the fewest traffic lights. They even have drive through churches today. Just hear a message on the internet or television. Why go to church? Studies have found that women like to shop on the internet after 9:00PM. Why? Convenient! We like to choose the easy way over the difficult. Going through the wide gate we can take along as much baggage as we want. No constraints, no sacrifices, easy choices, no boundaries, no commitment applies to all who travel the wide gate. Taking this path leads to ruin. Jesus took a narrow path from The Judgment Hall to Calvary. It was also a steep climb carrying your Cross! He took your unforgiveness, hurt, pain and all your sin. Jesus was a teacher of virtue. Creativity exits between boundaries. Whether it be inventions, music, poetry, sciences, discoveries or even the work of a humble farmer. All great work is done within constraints and boundaries. Jesus had to be sinless to fix your sin. Because of the discipline of constraints and boundaries we have very few great people. People do not like boundaries. Live together why get married? Why study? Why work? Get on welfare. Pregnant? Get an abortion. Vote for the political party that offers you no constraints or boundaries. Revelation 7:9. Heaven is not sparsely populated but has a great multitude. Salvation belongs to our God! It is a free gift like a Christmas gift under a tree and is easy to find. Jesus is easy to find but very difficult to follow. Weddings are exciting but then the couples have to learn to live together. Marriage goes from easy to difficult. The wide gate is to get a divorce or just live together unmarried. To remain in covenant is a miracle from God and requires His Grace. To stay married is hard work and a challenge. Getting pregnant is easy but raising children is hard work. The family under the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman is God’s only plan and design for relationships and for the security of future generations. Worship even requires constraints and boundaries. All people will make one of the following four choices in their life. 1. Secularism- autonomy, it’s my life, live for yourself, no boundaries, no restraints. Not Jesus way. No! 2. Moralism- Follow the rules and get the life I deserve. Entitlement. Steeped in religion that says it is all about me. I deserve to be rich and famous because I am a moral person. 3. Religion- I owe my life to God. Obligation. Things better go right with me because I am serving God! Bad exchange. Problems come! Death and disease comes to all! 4. Grace- Jesus says your life for my life! Wonderful exchange! Great Exchange! My nothingless for His everything. Give God your life and He gives His life back to you! Stop living for yourself. It is a dead end. Let Christ come in. Welcome the Holy Spirit! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. What needs constraint in your life? Do you eat food for comfort? Do you have a drug or sex addiction? Do you feed your senses to no avail. Let Christ increase and you decrease. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will add to your life that will help you to victory. Source: Pastor Brady Boyd, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday September 1, 2013.
End of the World? Matthew Chapter 24!
About 2000 years ago Jesus disciples asked Him the signs of the end of the age? I suppose we are all curious as His disciples were? Jesus summed it up this way; 1. Many false Christ’s would come. 2. Wars and rumours of wars but end not yet. 3. Famines, pestilences,earthquakes in diverse places. 4. You shall be hated and killed of all nations for my name’s sake. 5. Many shall betray one another and hate one another. 6. Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many. 7. Iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold. 8. He that shall edure to the end shall be saved. 9. This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come! Comments; We have little control or no control over the first 8 events! However the last event number nine we as Christian’s can all participate in! This last event is the one that pleases our Lord as hope is given to a lost and perishing world! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com