Can you take the heat???

Bible Study with Debbie....Philippians 1:15-30

In this passage, Paul is trying to accomplish several things.  First of all he wants to be upbeat and positive about his current imprisonment.  He's clearly concerned for his safety....but he doesn't want his friends to concentrate on the possible danger he was in.  So...he drifts back and forth from rejoicing about the fact that God was going to take care of him and mentioning the "death" issue.  Four times in this passage he mentions death and his willingness to die for Christ.  It must have been a real possibility.  And....it seems that he was almost relieved to think of going home and leaving all the problems behind him. 

Have you ever had to "work" at your faith?  I certainly have.  I know that God can take care of me, but it's oh so easy to let your mind wonder about all the what ifs and how will I handle it if he doesn't come through. The Christian life is not easy.  It's not about accepting Jesus and then gliding along through life without a care.  The Christian life is not an Insurance policy.  Christians have to take a lot of heat and unlike the undisciplined person....Christians are required to find a way to be pleasant even if the fire gets hotter.  (check out the story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego in Daniel Chapter 3)

By verse 25 Paul has resolved the issue and as if he took a deep breath he says..."I know that I will remain and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith."  In other words...."Oh well.  I guess I need to remain here in order to help you and keep you moving forward."

In verse 27 he adds...."Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  Paul  pleads through the entire book of Philippians for his friends to do the right thing.  To stand up for Christ and to be a good example.

That's the trick isn't it?  Doing the right thing at just the right time.  Being the person that God has called you to be.  Handling all your problems as if you had the mind of Christ and encouraging those around you by letting the love of God shine light on them as well. 

Don't miss the fact that even while Paul is struggling with the danger issue that he's also struggling with the self-esteem issue.  Look back at verses 15-18.  Paul talks about other preachers and teachers who seem to be doing the work out of "selfish ambition".  These guys were a lot like many of the preachers I know today.  They were more interested in collecting bodies, accolades and money than they were in making disciples of Christ.  In order to further their own cause they were making false accusations against Paul. 

That must have been really hard to take.  Negative comments are always hard to take....but they would be especially difficult when you are in prison.  Yet, Paul fought the desire to be angry by concentrating on the important fact that Christ must be preached.  "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.  And because of this I rejoice."

Human nature wants recognition for a job well done.  All of us want to know we are loved and appreciated for our hard work.  I hope today we can take a lesson from Paul and humbly let God know that "HIS DESIRE FOR US" is our goal.  Where ever that takes us....recognition or invisibility - it doesn't matter as long as His will is accomplished.  Denouncing our need to be noticed will be difficult - but in the end we will be glad that we did our job, we accomplished the task before us and that we stayed true to his will for our lives.  Only then will we be able to hear those wonderful words:

"Well done thy good and faithful servant.  Enter now into the joy of the Lord."

God loves you,

Debbie

On the mend....

Thank you for your prayers!  I am totally convinced that God is going to bring good from this current problem.  Several years ago I wrote an account of the problem I have with my arm.  I was in shock when the doctor said, "If we can't fix this problem, we will have to amputate."  My children were small and there was so much I wanted to do with my life.  He saved my hand and arm then....and I believe he will continue to do so now.  Please continue to pray that the therapy will bring about a permanent solution to the current problem.

Now as a writer....I often look down at my hand and smile.  God has a plan for that hand.  He is in complete control.  Here's my story.....

THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES

by Debbie Jansen

After a busy Christmas season my left forefinger began to shake uncontrollably. It trembled for several minutes every hour. The shaking caused the top of my hand to ache.

“Dad, look at this.” My finger shook and an attached vein pulsated.

“That’s strange. How long has this been going on?”

“About two weeks.”

“Honey, you’ve been stressed out with all the work at church, the kid’s colds and your cake decorating business. I think it’s just stress.” I agreed and tried to put it out of my mind.

I tried to ignore the problem and get more rest, but the trembling increased and woke me out of a deep sleep. I can handle loud babies, decorating cakes, end to end meetings, and demanding men, but I can not go without sleep. I’m crankier than a two-year-old if I lose sleep. After a few sleepless nights, I was complaining to my doctor. He peered at me over his glasses and smile. “I believe it’s just a pinched nerve. It’s an easy fix. We’ll put a splint on it and I’m sure it will be fine in a few days.” The doctor’s comforting words made me feel better as I rushed through my day.

Two days later I was back in his office screaming with pain. The hand was swollen twice it’s size and wouldn’t move. He sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who found a small broken bone in the wrist. The surgeon didn’t like the temperature of the whole arm so he insisted I see a neurologist - immediately! After three tests the neurologist shook his head and explained, “The arm is dying. The fall that broke the bone also damaged a nerve. That nerve is sending a message to other nerves to cut off the blood flow to the entire arm.” To demonstrate he held my arm in the air. It began to turn a gray ash color as if it belonged to a dead person.

“What is the prognosis?” Dad put his arm around me for both comfort and physical support.

“She has a condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.” The doctor put his chart on the table and moved closer. “In a week the arm will be completely without blood and will begin to wither. She will lose all use of the arm. If it is injured, we will have to amputate because without blood it won’t heal.”

My mind was spinning. Amputation! How could I accomplish future goals without an arm? I wanted to do my daughter’s wedding cake. I wanted to play the piano in church. Dad looked away from me and stuttered for words.

The doctor broke into our shock by saying, “There’s a possibility we can fix it. We can try as many as six ganglion blocks. Hopefully, they will override the damaged nerve, allowing blood to flow into the arm. Sometimes the blood flow will heal the nerve and stop the problem. If it isn’t better after six treatments we can try surgery. With a little luck one of those will work. If not, we will have to amputate.”

Why does he keep using that word? I wanted to say something but I couldn’t breathe. I was still wobbly trying to deal with the term amputation. They wheeled me to the outpatient surgery clinic and asked me to lie down and prepare for the procedure. How am I supposed to prepare for this? The anesthesiologist took out a long needle that looked about three feet long to me. Okay so I was a little overwhelmed at the moment. Maybe it was only two feet.

“Please lay back. We will go in the front of your neck and hopefully isolate a nerve in your back. If we can locate it and deliver the right amount of medication, it will over ride the nerves in the arm and allow blood to flow. Understand?”

“NO! Are you going to push that needle all the way to my back?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you just go through my back?”

“Too many muscles. We wouldn’t be able to find it. Ready?”

I wanted to yell at him but instead froze. His nurse moved my neck into position.

“Don’t swallow”, she whispered. “He will be near your vocal cords and we don’t want to damage your voice.”

“How long will this take?” My lips trembled and my shoulders tensed with fear.

“Five minutes. Exactly five minutes.”

Tears ran down the side of my face and created a puddle behind my neck. I didn’t swallow and barely breathed. The pain was intense. I was petrified. I begged God for mercy. I clinched my fists. Oh God, where are you. The anesthesiologist hit something that caused intense pain and felt like shock waves flowing across my back. I squeezed my eyes tighter. Have mercy. Please God, have mercy! I wanted to peek at the clock on the wall but I didn’t dare open my eyes. The image of him poking at my neck with his jack hammer wasn’t something I wanted to remember. Oh God, how much longer? Five minutes usually passes without a thought but this time it seemed like an eternity. The adrenaline was pumping, my heart was racing and I was in pain. Please God, please let this work so I never have to do this again.

“Thanks Sarah, we’re done.” I felt the nurse wipe my throat. I took my first deep breath and recalled an old song. There is a Savior, what joys express. His eyes are mercy. His word is rest. For each tomorrow, for yesterday. There is a Savior who lights our way. Thank God there is a Savior who cares about us and protects us each step of the way.

The first treatment was a wonderful success. Five minutes after the shot, I looked at the anesthesiologist and said, “Who turned on the heat?"

He smiled, “Look”, he said, “Watch!” I watched my arm turn fire engine red as the blood made its way to my hand. When the tips of my fingers were red, the paralysis was gone. There was no pain. I was moving my fingers wildly and laughing hysterically.

The anesthesiologist giggled with me. “Good, you’ve got a chance.”

The doctor peeked in to see how I was. “Look!” I proudly displayed my hand. “It feels great.” He nodded his approval. “Doctor, was my finger shaking so hard because it was damaged?”

“No.” He scratched his head and started writing in my chart. “Mrs. Jansen, I have no idea why it was shaking. Without blood it should have been completely paralyzed.”

My Dad choked back a tear. We realized the miracle God had preformed. God knew how serious the problem was even when I didn’t. We both believe that God caused a minor irritation to send me running to the doctor for help. What a loving God we have. He counts the hairs on our head. He knows when each sparrow falls and He even watches out for a tired mom.

No matter what problems you are experiencing, remember that God cares for you. He has more answers that you could ever imagine. He will stand with you no matter what the trial may be. Like my arm you must be connected to the blood source or you will die. Jesus is the Vine and to live the good life we must stay connected to Him.

My hand was like useless branches that must be discarded. When the blood (Jesus Christ) flowed through my veins, it brought the dead back to life. God can work miracles and give you the answers you need for your life.

“Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned.” John 15:5
 
God loves you,
 
Debbie

Attitude is everything!

If you've read more than three or four posts, you know you know that I'm all about the attitude.  It's your attitude that will determine if your parenting works or not.  It's your attitude that controls the levels of your marriage.  It's your attitude that determines the success of your spiritual life. 

I'm currently struggling with a difficult medical problem.  Hopefully it will be resolved shortly - and in a good way. (I appreciate your prayers) My darling husband sent me the following story and gave my attitude a boost.  Answers are always a matter of God's, His love and our own attitude.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'  He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!' You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood.  I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.  You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.  Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.  I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked.

He continued, '...the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me they would take good care of me. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''
Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'   He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude....I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.

Please pray that God will provide a good report so I can continue to work without interruption........

God loves you,

Debbie

Why should anyone be a Christian?

Before we continue a listing of Christian Traits....perhaps we should discuss why anyone would even want to be a Christian. What should you believe?  Which way should you take your life?

I Googled, "How many religions are in the world?"  According to World Christian Encyclopedia there are 34,000 separate Christian Groups.  Then there are all kinds of other religions that contain many different Gods.  In India for example, the Hindu faith claims to have 330 million faces of God.  In our own country, native Indians have a God for almost everything that lives.  There are wind gods and sun gods and plant gods and animal gods. 

It's confusing.  Especially if you haven't had what is called a Theophany.  A theophany is where you have actually experienced a "manifestation of God or a Deity."  So...if you haven't come face to face with God - how do you know that what I'm telling you is true?  And furthermore....why would you want to live by my faith?

First let me assure you that if you don't believe in God - I won't attack you in any way.  Just because we have different opinions doesn't mean I dislike you.  And...just because I don't see any "logical" basis for other religions doesn't mean I think bad of those people either. 

So...let's look at this problem from a purely logical standpoint. 

I have a hard time finding a reason to even consider other religions.  For example, I just don't understand why the Muslim faith is still around.  Half of their participants are in slavery.  As a Muslim wife you are demanded to have as many children as possible and....forget having the freedom to be who you want to be. The Muslim faith is awful to wives, children and anyone that goes against the wishes of the father or the "honor" of the family. And the biggest plus to the religion is that if you kill others in Allah's name, you get to experience virgins to your hearts content.  While that may be enticing to some people - I want more of heaven than that.  After a while anything loses it's pleasure.  Being stuck in the sex mode for all of eternity isn't as appealing as having the freedom to enjoy everything God has been preparing for literally millions of years.  If he created everything here on earth and has been waiting and creating for centuries - don't you think he could come up with something better than 70 virgins??  Sounds like of pathetic to me.

Buddhism is even harder for me.  Their take on this religion thing is that life is sort of a punishment.  You are supposed to learn something from every life but you have to keep reincarnating until you finally reach Nirvana - which is a state of nothingness.  Talk about a hard life! 

Since I was in college I've issued a challenge.  Bring me any faith that offers more freedom, more creativity, more of a good life and more rewards in the after life - and I'll change.  Yep!  You heard it here.  Show me that your religion is better than mine and I'll change.  The problem is in the details.  Some religions may sound good on the surface but in the end it disappoints. 

I remember going to a youth group at a large church in Atlanta when I was in my early twenties.  The speaker was a wealthy business man who lived most of his life as an atheist.  His life was a mess!  His business was failing and his family was falling apart.  When his wife served him with divorce papers, he sought advice from a Christian friend.  The friend said, "Look John, I know you can't bring yourself to be a Christian...but that doesn't negate the great advice in the Bible.  Even if you never become a Christian, I promise that if you study the Bible and follow it's teachings your life will get better." 

The businessman took his advice and spent the next few years studying and implementing Bible values.  At the end of six months his business was growing.  At the end of a year he was dating his wife and at the end of two years they were re-married. Now remember....he was not a Christian - he was only living like one.  His only goal was to put the values of a Christian into practice in his own life. 

Amazingly, at the end of four years he decided that God was real and that he wanted to give not only his heart - but his entire life to God.  (Is that why atheist are so afraid of even the word "God"?  Any connection to this Christianity thing is dangerous to their position.)

If the Bible is just a good way to live....what makes it so good?  Why don't most people see the value? 

There's been a lot of propaganda.  Ask anyone if they think the Bible is made up of a lot of restrictions and they will probably agree with you.  Even Christians are likely to say more about the "no no's" of the Bible than the actual purpose of why we follow this book.

The Bible is simply "God's word".  But what does that mean?  The Bible starts out with creation and then moves forward.  With each book, Christianity begins to evolve.  Until Jesus comes and begins to set the record straight about what he really meant us to be.

Let's pretend for a moment that we are like cars.  We are assembled at the factory and then sent out into the world to do "our" thing.  Some of us are made to race and some of us are made to carry groceries and kids.  But....if something goes wrong in our engine - we aren't rolled up to the bakery for repairs.  We go back to the people that made us. 

That's what Christianity is!  God made us and the Bible is His instruction book on how we work best. 

But here's the creepy part that some people don't want to look at.  They don't want to accept that there's some big dude in the sky that has even a small interest in what they are doing.  They want complete and total control over their own lives.  So....because they can't accept the big guy....they discredit and make fun of the Bible.

The Bible isn't all that weird.  And...it is not a negative - "You can't do this" book.  Go back to the car illustration.  Suppose you bought a new $40,000 SUV.  You decide that you can't pay for the car and the gas all at the same time.  So...you brew up a concoction of rubbing alcohol and sugar.  A little dash of this and that....a little corn liquor and voila!  Gas!  You decide you better call the dealership that sold you the car and tell them what you've done.  "Great news! I've just invented a new gas.  You'll probably want it for all your customers."  The salesman screams into the phone..."No, please....don't do it.  It will ruin the engine."  You get mad.  "You can't talk to me like that.  I know what I'm doing.  How dare you!" 

The salesman quietly explains, "If you do this there's no way we will cover the cost to fix the engine."

You yell back.  "You won't have to you jerk.  I'm going to save the world money!  You just wait and see, I'll be the one rolling in the dough.  You don't know anything about me."

The thing is, you are convinced that you are right.....but you are gambling with a $40,000 car.  You put your invention in the gas tank and start the engine.  The car sputters and takes off.  You are grinning from ear to ear.  You did it.  You showed those guys.  You are rolling along on free gas.  As the gas that was in the tank begins to mix with your untested solution, the car sputters.  It slows and drags.  It can hardly go.  Finally smoke rolls out of the engine.  It's clacking and clanging and the entire car trembles with the pain of it all.  It dies a horrible death.

What happened?  It was your car and you had the right to put anything in the tank you wanted.  Why didn't it work.  All of us know the answer to that question.  It doesn't matter how much you believed in your invention, if the car wasn't "designed" to work with your solution - it's not going to happen.

Guess what?  It doesn't really matter what you believe.  If you don't do the stuff that's needed to make your life wonderful - it won't work!  When your life falls apart because you are lying or cheating....it really doesn't matter what you believe.  The results will be what they are.  It's sad to me that most people wouldn't dare take the chance on ruining a $40,000 car but they have no problem gambling with their lives and all of eternity.  As the old saying goes - "I'm a Christian.  If you're right about the "no God" thing and I die and go into nothingness - I've still had a good life.  If your wrong about the God thing and you die, you go to Hell."  Hum.....

Let's go back to the Bible.  I've studied it my entire life.  I became a Christian when I was six years old.  I participated in Bible drills, memorization and as a preacher's kid I've listened to thousands of sermons. 

I realized early on that the Bible isn't about what you can't do.....the Bible is about living the "Good" life.  It's an instruction manual on how to stay out of trouble. 

Some people look at my life and say, "Man you sure have been blessed.  You haven't had the troubles a lot of us have had."  While I do thank God for making me who I am....it's the Bible that I credit with the reason I have a good life. 

I came from a heritage of Christians.  My parents were ministers, my grandmother was a minister, All grandparents and most of my extended family were Christians.  My husbands family was the same way. 

We have had good lives not just because they were Christians - but because their lives kept us away from the things that would "hurt" or cause problems in our lives.  They passed on wise instructions that kept all of us from getting into stuff that would hurt our ability to have a great life.

For example - let's take the Ten commandments.  The first four are about God.  Since we are "logically" discussing this, let's leave him out of it. 

#5 "Honor thy father and mother".  What possible problem could that avoid?  If I had a nickle for every time I heard someone say, "I hate to admit it but my parents were right" - I would be a rich person.  If more children, teens and adults honored their parents they could learn from the wisdom they have.  And even if you don't think your parents are wise (provided they also live by Biblical values) perhaps you can learn from their mistakes.

#6 Don't murder.  Well hello!  Who wants to spend the rest of their lives in jail?  And even if we lived in a society where murder was okay - who wants to be the one murdered?  Or who wants to be so dysfunctional that killing is the only way to solve a problem.  Ick! Instead of living a life of yelling, screaming and getting so angry that you flip out and kill your spouse....you have a different mindset.  Look at all the problems and issues that you've avoided just by one commandment.

#7 Don't commit adultery.  It would take a 15 page post to list all the pain this one will save.  Just the guilt and therapy you can avoid will be worth thousands of dollars. 

#8  Don't lie.  Again...what's not to like about this little gem?  Do you know how much trouble could be avoided in this life if people couldn't lie.  Remember the movie Liar, Liar with Jim Carrey?  Remember all the trouble he was in because he told lies? 

The point is....The Bible isn't about taking away from your life.  The Bible is about giving you a plan so you can have the best life possible.  While others around you are struggling to figure out how to get down the street with their cars of life - you will be racing around the neighborhood and learning how to use all the tools to help your car sprout wings and fly!

Being a Christian is all about God.  It's about loving him and appreciating all he's done for us.  But it's also much more than that.  It's about using his teachings to have the greatest life you can.  My hope for you is that when your life is over that you will stand before a smiling God and say, "Wow!  What a fantastic ride!"

God loves you,

Debbie

Who says this isn't a Christian Nation!!!!

A good friend sent this to me. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  God bless this Marine!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0fQd858cRc&feature=player_embedded

God loves you - and God bless America!

Debbie

The Donkey

Since the symbol of the democratic party is a donkey....I think it's okay to use an old euphemism I've heard many times.

"If the donkey kicks me once it's his fault.....if the donkey kicks me twice it's my fault."

What that means is that it's often easy to be surprised by the actions of others.  It's understandable to be naive and fooled by a crook - once.  It's understandable to be naive and fooled by a fast talking salesman - once.  But....if you are smart and you continue to let people take advantage of you....then it's no longer the crooks fault - it's your fault.

Once we have the information we need to make an informed decision....it's smart to use that information and avoid being robbed, hit, hurt, taken advantage of.....you get the idea.  We can use information we have learned in the past to prevent the disaster in the future.  To ignore the information means we are on the fast track to being hurt - again.

Over the past few days the news has touted the possibility that Mr. Obama is moving to the center and will be a hard person to beat in the 2012 elections.  I couldn't believe I heard anyone say that!  Are Americans really that dumb?  Surely not.

The man promised to be centrist before he was elected the first time.  He lied!  He couldn't wait to get into office and prove his radical left agenda.  We've been suffering every since.  He's lied to us about so many things and proved to be inept and on a radical left race to socialism. 

Why would you believe him ever again?  Why would some people look at a one time speech and believe that he is going to do anything better the second time? 

But Debbie....aren't we supposed to be kind and compassionate?  People can change you know?  Shouldn't we give him a chance?

Sure....give the drug addict a chance to get clean - but don't ask him to be a guard at the local pharmacy. 
Give the alcoholic a chance to change - but don't ask him to be a fill in bartender when yours is sick.
Give an abusing spouse the chance to change but don't live with them and subject your 10 year old to another beating.  Wait until the change has been proven and documented and you know that it's for real!

Our country's future is too important to trust this man...again.  I'm counting the days and hoping that our luck will last and God will show us mercy until we can get him out of office.  If he's elected for a second term, there's no hope for this country.  You will see another massive move to socialism that we may not be able to survive and surely won't recover from. 

So....my suggestion....do your homework.  Look at his pre-election speeches.  Hear what he said and then look at what he actually did or didn't do.  Make the connections.  Things like the fact that gas is going up and instead of letting companies in the gulf with safe rigs begin drilling again - he is stalling.  Why?  Watch Glen Beck and try to put all the pieces together.  Gather your information and don't let that donkey kick you again!

God loves you,

Debbie

#1 Love me...Obey my commandments

A true Christian will know who Jesus is and will work to obey his commandments.

Jesus had gathered all his disciples together for the last supper.  If there was ever a time to give them cliff notes, this was it.  Read John Chapter 13 and 14 and you'll see that the disciples just didn't understand all that was going on.  They acted like small children wanting to be near him, sensing there was a problem, not knowing what to do etc...  And then Jesus did a great and noble thing.  He washed their feet.  He talked quietly and slowly.  He was not angry or ill at ease.  These were the men he had chosen to carry on his work and now it was time to simply be friends.  He knew that Judas had already betrayed him and yet...he was kind with him as well. 

Chapter 14 starts out with a wonderful command. 
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Now that we know the whole story it's easy to read that passage and know that Jesus is talking about Heaven.  But listen to his last statement.  Verse 4 "You know the way to the place where I am going."

Here's comes the children.....Even though they had listened and followed for three years....In the next verse Thomas says..."Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus probably wanted to give a big sigh at this point and say, "What?  What do you mean you don't know the way?  Haven't you been listening!"

Instead in verse 6 Jesus answered,  "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Please pull out your Bible and read these two chapters, they are wonderful sweet urgings of Jesus.  For today and our point today however, let's concentrate on the following verses.  Consider this a cliff note straight from Jesus.

In John 14:15  Jesus said:
 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

How can you do that if you haven't studied enough to know what his command is?  And notice he didn't say, "Do what the priests have told you."  NO, he said do what I command.  In other words, get it for yourself!

In John 14: 21-24 Jesus went on to say:
 
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

 
Okay Friends....now you have it from the horses mouth.  We can all close up shop and go home.  That's your salvation in a nut shell. 
 
If you say that you love God (Jesus) you will obey his command.  If you don't obey then you don't love and you can't call yourself a Christian.
 
Period.  End of statement.  Everybody out of the pool!
 
Do you conveniently avoid certain scriptures?  - You are not a Christian.
 
Do you twist the scriptures you don't like?  - You are not a Christian.
 
Do you avoid church and learning about Jesus?  Maybe it's just too boring.  Sorry, You are not a Christian.
 
Do you work and study and cross reference - hoping, pushing and looking for a way to make the scriptures support the wrong you want to do?  - You are not a Christian.
 
We must take the Bible as a whole, understand the writers, the life of Christ, the overall meaning, the cross references, the implied and the unimplied. 
 
We must be doubly and 500% sure that we know who Jesus was and is - what his commandments are and that we are doing everything possible to obey those commandments.
 
A true Christian will love the study of the Bible because he "wants" and craves knowing who Jesus is and what His commandments are. A true Christian will not care if he's missing out on some fun or something he wants to do.  All he will care about is that he loves Jesus and that he is obeying his commands.
 
Can you say that you know and obey the commandments of Jesus?
 
God loves you,
 
Debbie