My Online Faith Journal

I have been thinking about how Jesus would respond to our political climate today and what, if anything, he would say about this election? But, in thinking about that, I realize that his world at the time he was on earth was very different than mine, so this can only be my speculation. But, I have noticed that Jesus did not seem to say hardly anything about the Roman authorities over Israel during his day. IN LUke 20:20-26, some men come to Jesus "pretending to be honest" and ask Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. They want to capture Jesus in his own words expressing either support or denial of the Roman government. They think the question is a no win for Jesus. But, again, Jesus raises the question to another level, by saying, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." It seems clear that Jesus was thinking on a different level than these men. The kingdom that he was concerned about was His Father's kingdom. This seem

I just read a really good sermon about worship by Bob Deffinbaugh at www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=438 In this message, he talks about words that define and describe what worship is. He says that worship includes humility, reverence and service. He notes that worship and service are often linked. It made me think about Cain and how God didn't accept his sacrifice and then also Ananias and Sapphira mentioned in Acts 5 who died because of their lack of reverence. Then also the Lord's Prayer. When you look at it it means "Hallowed by Your Name." first and foremost before any requests or any thing is mentioned about men. In fact, the first half of the prayer is about God and His kingdom and not man at all. Jesus seemed to be preoccupied not with what we need in the prayer, though that is included, but about what is happening here becoming more like what is happening in the kingdom of God. Rev.Deffinbaugh also mentioned that there is a response in worship. That i

I was looking at these verses John 4:23-24. "True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth." Keeping in mind that Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman, the woman starts an old argument with Jesus. Or at least she tries to. Where is the best place to worship? On this mountain or in Jerusalem? Jesus however doesn't fall for her trap, but rather lifts the discussion to a higher place, namely, what is worship really in the first place? What worship is acceptable in God's sight. So, first he defines who God is by saying that God is Spirit. Meaning, that God is not limited to this mountain or to Jersualem. It reminds me of what Solomon said in 2 Chronicles 6:18 "But will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have bui