Living in the Real World

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. (NIV) Luke 9:37

. . . Continued from yesterday

Peter, James and John had just witnessed a supernatural scene. Jesus had been transformed. . . the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. . . Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. . . a cloud appeared and enveloped them . . . the voice of God came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” . . . and then suddenly the disciples were alone with Jesus again (Luke 9:28-36). Not your everyday kind of experience!

But as wonderful as the mountain top experience was, the next morning, Jesus and His disciples descended back into the “real world”. And they returned to much the same scene as they left, people wanting something from them. You see, our character is shaped on the mountain top. . . but our ministry is lived out in the real world.

Are you waiting for God to use you in some spectacular way? Start living out your faith in your day to day activities. God wants our character shaped during our times with Him to be seen in the routine of our regular lives. There’s no job, no life, no activity, no work, no routine, that is too mundane that the touch of God cannot turn it into a reflection of Himself!

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Today, if you hear his voice. . .

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

The word “Meribah” means to quarrel. The word “Massah” means to test. The Israelites tested and tried God even though they had seen the mighty miracles He had done. . . God miraculously released the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. . . He had parted the Red Sea when the Egyptian army was in pursuit of the people. . . He provided food in the form of manna each morning. God had been faithful to His promises, the people doubted. And as a consequence they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they had disobeyed God and hardened their hearts against Him.

What is God saying to you today? Are you obeying Him? There may be great urgency for you to obey God’s commands. You may not see why–but you are to obey God. If you obey, your life, your family, and your ministry will be blessed beyond measure. If you disobey you will live with the consequences for a great while…look at the consequences for the Israelites. The choice is now yours. Obey and receive blessing. Disobey and reap the consequences. Each day it’s your choice!

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One Life that Mattered

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem just prior to His triumphant entry and His crucifixion. Jericho was a stopping place for weary travelers. The city was a tropical paradise and rightly called “the city of palm trees.”  It was located on a main thoroughfare to Jerusalem and was therefore the center of an exceptionally productive district.  The traffic in and out of Jericho brought wealth and thus the revenue for tax collectors, the occupation of the man in our story, Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus’ name meant “pure,” an ironic name for a tax collector. Zacchaeus was not the individual who collected the actual taxes, he was a chief tax collector who contracted the work to others who then collected taxes for the Romans in this district. During this time there were several different types of taxes imposed by Rome and the Jews paid 30-40% of their income for taxes and religious dues. The tax collectors were allowed to gather more than the government required and then they would pocket the excess amounts. They were despised by their fellow Jews, simply classified as “sinners.”

Undoubtedly Zacchaeus had heard of this great man, Jesus, who had performed many miracles. We do not know how God had been preparing Zacchaeus for meeting Jesus. Perhaps he was one of the guests when Jesus dined at Matthew’s house, a fellow tax collector. . . or perhaps Matthew had told Zacchaeus about Jesus or was praying for him to meet Jesus. . . or perhaps Zacchaeus had realized that the money he had accumulated didn’t bring fulfillment, but rather it had brought an emptiness, feeling like he always had to have more – no matter how much he had, it was never enough. Or perhaps Zacchaeus sought out Jesus as a result of the rejection and scorn that brings isolation, loneliness and shame. . . or perhaps he had a sense of frustration and disappointment in life. . . or perhaps he was questioning what he was getting out of life. . . or perhaps it was out of the stress of managing an out of control business and out of control people. . . or perhaps he had a desire for Truth. . . or perhaps Zaccahaeus simply had the desire for immortality.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Who is your Zacchaeus? Who around you is seeking out Jesus?

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Claims of Jesus Christ

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV) John 1:14

He claimed to forgive sins. . .
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (NIV) Luke 7:48-49

He claimed to give life. . .
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (NIV) John 5:21
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV) John 10:10
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (NIV) John 11:25-26

He claimed to be Judge. . .
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (NIV) John 5:26-27

He claimed to do miracles. . .
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. (NIV) Matthew 11:4-5

He claimed to establish God’s Kingdom. . .
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (NIV) Matthew 12:28
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (NIV) Mark 1:14-15

He claimed defeat of Satan. . .
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. (NIV) John 12:31

He came to represent God. . .
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (NIV) John 6:38
I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (NIV) John 8:38
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father’? (NIV) John 14:9

He came to be the Savior for mankind. . .
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (NIV) Matthew 9:12-13
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV) Luke 19:10

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Tent of Meeting

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. (NIV) Exodus 33:11

The setting: Moses has led the people of Israel out of enslavement in Egypt. God supernaturally made His presence known to the people in a number of ways. Perhaps the most dramatic encounter happened at the foot of Mt. Sinai. . . On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up (NIV) Exodus 19:16-20

Moses understood the importance of receiving God’s guidance in leading the people. And he met regularly with God. . . Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. (NIV) Exodus 33:7-11

How often do you meet with God? When was the last time that you had a heart to heart chat with God? Do you have a regular appointment with Him? or is it an occasional encounter? Are you receiving His guidance for living your life? or are you trying to do it on your own? Where is your “tent of meeting”? that special place where you and God communicate.

If your “tent” has been left without a visit for awhile, why not start a new habit today? Meet God and allow Him to “speak” to you as His friend!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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