Category: Nspired Posts

UnTouched Sight

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying

loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Son of David is a common name of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew

28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

The two blind men persisted by following Jesus into the house. Jesus needed proof they wanted to receive sight, so he asks if they have faith.

They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”

The two blind men confirm they have faith.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened.

Jesus touched their brokenness by touching their eyes.

We do not know the degree of their blindness, yet it was enough to affect their lives.

“Their eyes were opened”; in this case it was a physical opening of the eyes. Jesus caused a physical change in their bodies.

Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” 31 But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

How can these men not tell others. Their entire lives they were blind and now see. There is so much for them to learn through their new found sight.

Anxiety to Asana – A One Month Journey

This past month I decided to begin doing yoga once a day for at least 15 minutes. I was looking for relief from my anxiety and stress.  My doctor suggested I pray 10 minutes a day to alleviate the tension in my body.  I decided to try this but found sitting still was not by strong point so I sought an active way to quiet my mind before God. I began doing yoga for at least 15 minutes a day.  In the past 30 days (January 2014) I did Yoga 22 out of 30 days for at least 15 minutes, many time up to an hour.

Some Christians have apprehension doing yoga, however yoga is a set of exercises we can dedicate to God.

Here are the benefits I received:

1. Reduced anxiety: The tension melts away from my body when I do yoga.  I noticed on days I do not do yoga I am tense and irritated.

2. Fewer body aches: When I do yoga my body hurts less.  Anxiety causes the body to ache throughout the day from the buildup of tension.  Yoga stretching enables me to move without pain.

3. Better Preaching delivery: I’ve noticed I’m more relaxed when I preach on Sunday morning.  I’m more in control of my delivery.  Hopefully the congregation noticed as well.

4. Better able to care for my family: When I’m anxious I can’t be present with my wife and son.  When I not anxious I can care for them.

5. Eating better: Anxiety causes food cravings.  For me that meant a craving for salty snacks.  When is do yoga I have a desire for healthy foods which don’t make me feel worse after eating them.

6. More Time: With anxiety, I seem to never have enough time.  I feels as though time is crashing in on me.  When I do yoga, I am able to prioritize what is important.

7. Physical healthy:  Doing yoga shaped my physical body in one short month.  I am physically stronger (useful when picking up a nine month old baby).  I am in the best shape of my life and am just getting starting.

8. True Confidence: With anxiety, I forced myself to have confidence to make it through the day.  Daily yoga dedicated to God has given me a true confidence to approach the day.  I no longer have to tell myself I am loved, but believe it because God is love.

9. Clothes fit better: Anxiety causes my clothes to feel awkward on me.  They either feel too tight or too loose.  Now they fit how they should.

10. Peace with the World: Anxiety causes me to be tense toward life.  I am just not able to cope wit

Talent Show – Sermon Notes

The Parable of the Talents

 

(Pastor David’s notes are in Blue)

(Matthew 25:14-30)

14 “For it (The Kingdom of Heaven) is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

A Talent is word 20 years wages; a significant sum of money.

16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

What do we do with the Talents God gives us?

19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

This third servant acted with emotion regarding the Talent.  He was afraid (an emotion) and acted rashly.

26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I used to feel bad for the third servant.  How an God (the master) be so cruel.  The servant was just playing it safe.  However, when we look at the amount of one Talent (20 years worth of work), we can begin to understand the anger of the master.  The master lost money (value) of the Talent.

How do you think God feels when we waste our Talents?

Eipphany Quiz Answers

Epiphany Sunday Quiz

 

1. What is the Epiphany holiday?

 

Epiphany (Koine Greek: ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, “manifestation”, “striking appearance”)[1] or Theophany[2] (Ancient Greek (ἡ) Θεοφάνεια, Τheophaneia meaning “vision of God”),[3] which traditionally falls on January 6, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.[4]

 

 

2. How many wise men?

 

It is unknown how many wise men came to see Jesus. Scripture does no indicate the number who followed the star.

 

3. What does the word Magi mean?

 

Perhaps astrologer, but could also mean priest.

 

4. How many gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus?

 

Three. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

 

5. How did God warn the magi to flee Herod?

 

A: Telephone B: Text C. In a Dream

 

C. In a dream.

Matthew 2:12 “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they (the Magi) left for their own country by another road.”

 

 

6. Where did the Magi stop before visiting Jesus?

 

Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1 -2; “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

 

7. What was the profession of the Magi?

 

Astrologers

 

8. How did the Magi locate Jesus?

 

A: GPS B: Star C: Wandered aimlessly around until they saw him?

B. Star

Matthew 2:2 “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

 

Matthew 2:9 9 “When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

 

 

 

9. Which direction did the Magi come from?

 

A: East B: West C: Southwest

 

A: East

Matthew 2:1 “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men (Magi) from the East came to Jerusalem,

 

10. Which is not a gift from the wise men?

 

A: Gold B: Myrrh C: Silver

 

C: Silver

Matthew 2:11 “Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.