Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Pastor's Ponderings, May 26, 2020

Make Jesus Real To You
The dictionary defines “real” as actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed. Much of what passes for reality today is simply imagined or supposed.  An ethnic group may be negatively characterized by this or that opinion. Another country’s inhabitants can be placed in a terrible category simply based upon imaginary beliefs about them. Each person’s reality is what they decide it is which may or may not have any basis on facts. People may then make poor decisions based on their own experiences, prejudices, and attitudes and denigrate or elevate others according to what they suppose is reality. 

However, John P. Kee wrote a song entitled, “Jesus is Real”.  Some of the lyrics are Jesus is real, I know the Lord is real to me. Jesus is real, I know the Lord is real to me. Sometimes when I'm feeling low, nowhere to go, Jesus comes along and He makes me strong. For I know, oh, Jesus is real.  

In spite of some people’s opinions of the reality of Jesus, the truth of the matter is that He is more real than what we see around us. The Bible says that those things that are seen are temporary while those things that are not are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our friends may be important to us, but the unseen God will be a friend when others have turned their backs.  One’s lawyer may seem real and tangible, but Jesus is our eternal advocate for us with the Father whenever we sin (1 John 2:1, 2).

Many have decided that Jesus is a fake and God does not exist. According to the philosopher, Karl Marx, Religion … It is the opium of the people".  However, we serve a real, true and living Savior who is a very present help during our troubles (Psalm 46:1).  When the things that we have depended upon for so long fade away, Jesus will be a real God for us throughout eternity (Hebrews 13:5).

2 Corinthians 4:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 John 2:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Psalm 46:1
New International Version (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Hebrews 13:5
New International Version (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”




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