may 21 they had been with jesus

 They had been with Jesus.    Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.  Peter and John went to pray in the temple and saw a man over forty years of age born lame begging.  The Lord healed this man and about 5,000 men put their faith in Jesus.  Peter who denied he even knew Jesus at His trial now boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the one who healed this man. Acts 3:12-16  And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13  The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, … 16  And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.  Peter and John were fishermen.  Jesus made them fishers of men.  In the eyes of the educated Jewish leaders Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant.  Education is important however being with Jesus is more important.  Do not  let your lack of education be a reason to not serve the Lord. Likewise, do not let your education become a stumbling block. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. I fell into the category of foolish and weak and base when it comes to being a nobody before Jesus saved me.  Not that I am a somebody now, but I have been with Jesus and any good that comes from me is to His glory and not mine.  Have you repented and asked Jesus to save you?  Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If you have you are on a journey that ends up in Heaven.  As you walk with Him you will become more like Him.  Thank God for His wonderful grace. 

 Want a hot dog?    Years ago in Mexico we passed a shop that had a goat cooking in the window display.  I asked the children, “Would you like a hot dog?”  Of course they were ready for that.  Then I showed them the goat in the window and told them it was a dog. Suddenly they lost their appetite.  Finicky, aren’t we?  An internet search says dogs are eaten in China, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Polynesia to name just a few countries.  The list includes the United States.  I wonder how many Americans eat dog?  The social norms different societies have are interesting.  How about eating cats?  Most of the countries already listed eat cat.  “Little Tiger” is on the menu in Vietnam.  Most Americans would cringe at eating dogs or cats. Different cultures teach different values.  Some friends went on a mission trip to the Ukraine. At dinner there was a bowl of soup with a fish head floating in it. Seeing the fish’s eyes persuaded them to pass on the soup.  Now let’s consider religion.  Different cultures have different beliefs.  I was raised to believe in the Trinity. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  Jews are raised to believe differently.  As are Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus and others.  Christians have different beliefs.  Baptist teach confess your sins to Jesus.  Catholics are taught confess you sins to your priest.  Church of Christ teach you must be immersed in water.  Pentecostals teach you must speak in tongues.  Seek God for yourself.  He is waiting to reveal His truth.  You have to begin somewhere. Start reading the Gospel of John in the Bible.  Ask God to reveal to you the truth and He will.  James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 

 What did I do?  It was dangerous to hang out with Jesus.  Poor Lazarus.  All he did was die.  Jesus called him back from the grave.  John 11:43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  Lazarus had been dead four days.  He was probably having a great time fellowshipping with Father Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Job, Samuel, Lazarus the beggar, David, and Gideon to just name a few.  Then Jesus called his name and told him to come forth.  He did his best to stumble out  of that sepulcher stilled wrapped up  like a mummy. John 11:44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Ever tried to walk wrapped up in a bed sheet?   But Lazarus heard His Masters voice call his name and out he came.  Can you hear Jesus calling your name?  He is. He loves you.  He has a plan for your life.  Will you listen for His still quiet voice in your heart?  Many Jews believed on Jesus because of this miracle of raising the dead.  John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. As a matter of fact, this miracle caused so many people to believe in Jesus that His enemies decided to not only kill Jesus but kill Lazarus too.  John 12:10-11  But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11  Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.  So here is Lazarus, Jesus’ friend.  Sick.  Dying. Word was sent to Jesus to come immediately but Jesus tarried on purpose.  His disciple’s thought Jesus was afraid that if he went there the Jews would kill him. How let down Lazarus and his family must have been when Jesus didn’t come when called.  After Lazarus died Jesus told the disciples they were going to Lazarus’ house but they were afraid of the Jews.  But let me put in a good word for Brother Thomas.  He was willing to die for Jesus. John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Are you willing to follow Jesus to the grave?  Now consider poor Lazarus.  Sick.  Dead.  Called back to life.  Now his life threatened by the Jews.  He could have said, “What did I do?  I just died.  Don’t be mad at me.”  If you live for Jesus, you will upset some people.  And as you are transformed into the image of Christ others will see the change in your life and believe in Jesus too.  The Christian adventure can be dangerous.  But there is no other adventure worth living and dying for. 

 What do you want?  I suppose most people, me included, could make a list several pages long of what we want.  The list could grow each day.  Are we ever satisfied?  The Apostle Paul reached a point of Christian love and maturity that he learned to be satisfied with life as it happened day by day.   Philippians 4:11-12 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12   I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Content in whatsoever state he was in.  How wonderful.  Since us Christians have Jesus living in our hearts, we should be content with what we have.  Hebrews 13:5 … and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  What is the most valuable thing we have?  Eternal life with Jesus promising to never leave nor forsake us.  Things will not make us happy.  Many lottery winners have gone from rags to riches only to end up back in rags. If anyone could have anything it should be the Creator, Jesus.  But He chose to live a simple life among people living without a home to call His own.  He chose to give all He had so He could die on a cross to save us from our sins when He arose.  He who could have anything gave everything so that we could come to God.  Now consider King Solomon.  He had anything money could buy.  In addition, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  How could one man satisfy the physical needs of 1000 women?  How selfish.  After all his getting he concluded all was vanity. (emptiness)  Ecclesiastes 1:2  Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. In Solomon’s opinion what was worth working towards? Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Labor.  To get tired from hard work.  Hard work is healthy.  Serve God.  Remember we must give an account of what we say and do.  Solomons final conclusion was: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

 Memorial Day. A time to remember those in our military who gave their lives defending our freedom.  It is always on the last Monday in May. We have been remembering our fallen soldiers since 1868 honoring those who died during the Civil War. Unfortunately, war means death.  Soldiers hope to come home safe. The reality of possible death is a sobering thought. Perhaps war has prompted many a sinner to repent and turn to Jesus for salvation.  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.   John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. How thankful we should be for those who wore the uniform and were killed defending our country.  Jesus was in a battle.  A battle between good and evil.  In losing He won.  Satan thought he was victorious in defeating God.  Sunday changed his rejoicing to unimaginable astonishment and grief.  Jesus’ death and resurrection meant the teaching of Christ would be spread around the world much more than if Jesus had not died and come back to life.  Jesus loved us so much He gave His life to ransom us.  I hope us Christians are willing to lay down our life to faithfully serve Him if need be.  It is appropriate for us to take time to reflect on those who gave their life defending our country.  If it were not for them, we would possibly be speaking German or bowing to a Japanese emperor.  As it is we enjoy the freedom to serve God, or not serve God, as we please and live our life in relative peace and harmony and security.  I thank God for those men and women who gave their life so that we can enjoy our American way of life. 

 Who gets his truck?  This event took place over 40 years ago.  A man had a heart attack and died.  As his neighbors came to the house after the funeral home took his body one of the neighbors asked another, “What is she going to do with his truck?”  It was quite clear he was more interested in buying the truck than he was about her grief.   “He always kept it with a full tank of gas.”  “He kept that truck in tip top shape.”  “Whoever gets that truck will get a good one.”  It was actually sickening to be near him.  No respect or regard for her feeling at all.  Only his selfish desire to buy the truck.  He even asked her that day what she was going to do with his truck.  In grief all she could say was she hadn’t thought about it yet.  His answer, “If you sell it give me the first option to buy it.”  After everything was said and done, he did buy the truck from her.  His response after buying it.  “The tank wasn’t full of gas.”  “It’s not in as good of shape as I thought it was.”  I hope he got his heart right before he met his maker.  Now to be honest we are all selfish.  Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:  15  Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16  Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17  And the way of peace have they not known: 18  There is no fear of God before their eyes. The most unselfish person who ever lived was Jesus.  Those of us who have been born again have God’s Holy Spirit living within us.  He produces in us Godlikeness. Now our goal is to be like Jesus.  Hopefully our selfishness will diminish. Philippians 2:2-4  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. How are you coming on your goal to be like Jesus?  I still have a long way to go.  I thank God for His mercy. 

 The Bema Seat.    2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. The words “judgement seat” in the Greek is the word Bema.  This is a judgment coming for Christians.  Christians will be caught up to Heaven and judged for their faithfulness.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. When spiritually we knelt at the foot of the cross and asked Jesus to save us, we were born again.  We were saved instantly.  We were gifted with Spiritual gifts to be a blessing to our church.  The Bema seat judgment will be where we give an account of how faithful we were to Jesus since our salvation till our graduation to Heaven.  Only saved people will be at this judgment.  Lost people will be judged at a later date at the Great White Throne Judgment. Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne … Christians who received 10 talents will give an account for 10 talents.  Christians who received 1 talent will give account for 1 talent. Luke 19:16-17  Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17  And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. The Christian who wasted his talent or talents will still be in Heaven.  He will suffer loss of rewards.  Our works will be put to test and only the things for Christ will survive the fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  Rewards will be given to the faithful. If you clean up dog mess tracked into the church for the glory of the Lord you will have a reward.  If you sing a special for your own glory, that will be burnt up and you will not have that reward.  We serve Jesus because we love Him.  Not to be noticed or rewarded.  But rewards do follow the faithful Christian. 

 The Great White Throne Judgment.   Revelation 20:11-151  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. After the heavens and earth pass away the lost will stand before Jesus.  Books of their works will be opened.  Every good deed they did will be shown.  Every bad thing they did will be shown.  The book of life will also be opened.  Our sins can never be balanced by doing good.  We all are condemned.  Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Because Christians repent and ask Jesus to save us our name is written the Lamb’s book of life.   13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. In shame the lives of the lost will be displayed for all to see. Our good works can never get us into Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the place of permanent  torment made for Satan and his angels.  Man sends himself there if he neglects to receive God’s free gift of salvation. This is the second death. The unbeliever dies in his sin.  Then at the end of the world he stands before Jesus at this Great White Throne Judgment. This is referred to the “second death.”  Lost people are born once and die twice.  Believers are born again so they have been born twice and die once.  Born once, die twice.  Born twice. Die once.  Have you been born again?  You can be if you repent and ask Jesus to save you.  15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.   People will argue with Jesus and say they deserve to go to Heaven.   Matthew 7:21-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Is you name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?  Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

 His Workmanship. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Do you know what you have to do to go to hell?  Picture in your mind a blank page.  That page shows what you need to do to go to hell.  But it is blank.  Now you get the picture.  You don’t have to do anything to go to hell because you have already sinned.  If you are mentally competent enough to read this devotion, then you are competent enough to know you have already committed sin. Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  Lie? Steal? Covet? Lust? Disrespect parents? Take the Lord’s name in vain? Lose your temper? Drunkenness?   Illegal drugs?  Gluttony? Hatred?  Unforgiveness?  Not love your neighbor as yourself?  Not do something you knew you should do?  It seems there is no end to the list of sins available.  Fortunately, the grace of God built a bridge to Heaven through the cross Jesus died on.  He arose. When you repent and put your faith in Him, He gives you the gift of eternal life.  How grateful we should be.  We have nothing to brag about.  All we did to contribute to our salvation was to sin. Thank God for His grace.  Now we have become His workmanship.  Workmanship. Poiēma in the Greek.  (poy’-ay-mah)  a product, i.e. fabric, thing that is made,  "poem  (from poieō, "to do, make")  Consider embroidery.  A needle and thread tracing a pattern of a piece of cloth.  As it is made it becomes a beautiful work of art.  Now consider your life as a blank piece of cloth.  Jesus works on you to make you what He wants you to be.  He will continue working on you until He calls you home.  You will never be complete as long as you are still breathing.  Be patient.  A poem may take a long time to write.  Your workmanship may take a lot of work before it makes sense.  Looking at the embroidery from the back just shows what looks like a mess.  But when turned over the beauty is admired.  Expect perplexity.  Expect battles with Satan and his powers of darkness. Be faithful in personal Bible study, prayer, attending a Bible teaching church, using the gifts He gave you to be a blessing to your church, repenting of your sin, giving faithfully, and yielding your will to His will.  . 10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. God has created you unto good works.  Not to be saved.  That’s a done deal.  Good works so others will see Jesus in you and want what you have. 

 Partial sin list.  Actually, this is a partial list of common sins.  If I call it a partial sin list someone may think if they just partially commit this sin is not a sin.  I couldn’t call it a sin list because someone could go through the list thinking, “Is so and so whatchamacallit it on the list?  Where is so and so whatchamacallit?   It’s not there!  Brother Tom says it ok to commit so and so whatchamacallit.  Party! So here is a partial list of common sins.  Not all listed will seem like sin.  Contact me if you would like.  I always welcome your feedback.  PARTIAL LIST OF SINS  Abortion   Arrogance   Adultery   Arguing   Anger   Boasting   Cruelty  Conceit   Cheating   Complaining   Covetousness   Disobedience   Disrespect   Desire To Sue   Dancing   Drunkenness   Exercise  (too much or too little)  Envy   Fighting   Food  (too much or too little or harmful food)   Fornication   Gossip   Gambling   Greed   Happy At Enemy’s Misfortune   Hard Feelings   Hate   Hypocrisy   Heresy   Indifference   Insurance Fraud   Idolatry   Inconsiderate Of Others Convictions   Immodesty   Lack Of Burden For Lost People   Listening To Wrong Music   Lust   Lack Of Witnessing   Lying   Lack Of Being Spirit-filled   Murder   Not Loving Neighbor As Self   Not Protesting Abortion   Not Honoring Parents   Not Keeping Sabbath   Things Harmful To Body (tobacco, alcohol, drugs)  Neglect Of Bible Study (or too much Bible Study)   Neglect Of Spiritual Gifts   Neglect Of Prayer (or too much prayer)   Not Love God With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind   Not Enough Sleep (Or Too Much Sleep)   Omission   Occult Activity (Horoscope, Séances, Fortune tellers, Tarot Cards, Palm Readers, Ouija Boards)   Profanity   Pride   Prejudice   Positive Thinking   Pessimistic Attitude   Quarreling   Rebellion   Robbing God   Slander   Self-sufficiency   Sowing Discord Among The Brethren   Slothfulness   Too Much TV   Too Much Sports   Too Much Church   Taking God’s Name In Vain   Taking The Lord’s Supper Unworthily   To Know To Do Good And Not Do It   Uncleanness   Unkindness   Unbelief   Unforgiving Spirit   Uncontrolled Tongue   Uncontrolled Temper   Vanity   Wrong Books Or Magazines   Worldly-mindedness   Wild Parties   Wicked Imaginations   Witchcraft  THE ONLY SIN THAT WILL SEND YOU TO HELL:  Refusing to receive God’s free gift of salvation because you don’t ask Christ to be your personal savior.