The Church Experienced the Presence of God

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. . .All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit . . . (NIV) Acts 2:1-2, 4

The Church experienced the presence of God and those people were never the same. . . the world was never the same! Immediately the Church began to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the hope of eternal life. After hearing the Truth about Christ, 3000 people began a relationship with Jesus. And because it was the Passover and many of the people in Jerusalem were tourists, the Word of God spread to the outer most regions of the world.

But it was the presence of God which prompted the proclamation of His purpose, to bring salvation to all mankind. Has the presence of God in your life prompted you to proclaim His purpose? Do those “everyday people” (those you come in contact with on a regular basis) know that you are a Christian? Does your lifestyle look different than that of your neighbor? How is the presence of God seen in your life?

If you answered no to any of those questions, I encourage you to take a moment, bow your head and ask God to change you. . . ask Him to release His presence in your life with such power that you can’t help but proclaim His purpose! All it takes is a willing heart, God will do the rest!

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Fresh Presence, Fresh Power

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” . . . But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV) Acts 1:4-5, 8

Jesus had died. . . 3 days later He rose from the dead and appeared many times . . . once to as many as 500 followers. And He promised to send them a gift from His Father. That gift was the Holy Spirit. Jesus related the receiving of the power with being witnesses to all mankind.

The only hope that we have to evangelize our world is through God’s power. And with that power, comes the responsibility of being a witness to what God has done through Jesus. . .and a witness to what God has done in and through your life.

When was the last time that you shared with a “Pre-Christian” the story of what God has done in your life? You may say, “But I’m not an evangelist!” Neither were those who Jesus addressed in Acts 1!

Take a moment now and list 3 people that you know who do not have a relationship with Christ.

Pray that God’s Spirit will prepare those individual’s hearts and minds so that they will be ready to clearly understand who Christ is and what He has done for mankind (John 15:26). And pray that God will continue to give you opportunities to build your relationship with those individuals and that you will act on those opportunities.

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Never Enough!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Life is full of a lot of questions. I have learned that there is only One person who gives me the right answers to my questions. He is the One who has a Look of Love in His eyes.

When I ask Him: “Lord, why are You allowing all these natural disasters? Tens of thousands of lives lost. . .more are homeless and hopeless. . .Lord, You could do something. Why?” I see the Look of Love in His eyes as He says: “I AM the helper of the fatherless. . .the defender of the oppressed. I am still in control. My ways are not your ways. Trust Me when your questions are not answered.”

Some days I’m just exhausted. . .I don’t feel like I can handle any more. . .there are too many demands from my ministry. . .from my family. . .from my friends. . .from those in need. He gently picks me up in His strong arms. . .lets me put my head down on His chest. I listen to His heartbeat and I see the Look of Love in His eyes as He says: “I love you. Come to Me whenever you are weary and tired. I will give you rest.”

When I blow it and go to Him to confess my sin. . .again. With shame in my eyes I don’t want to look into His eyes. But, He gently cups my chin in His hand, lifts my eyes to His and I see the Look of Love in His eyes as He says: “You are forgiven. As far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgressions. Go and walk in the newness of life.”

When I have been falsely accused. . .my reputation questioned. . .my ministry attacked. I see the Look of Love in His eyes as He says: “I understand. I’ve been there. You are blessed if you are insulted because of My Name. Repay evil with blessing. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .Trust Me.”

When life gets too hard and I go to Him and say: “It’s not worth it. It’s too hard to live this Christian life.” He gazes at me with Look of Love in His eyes and says: “O My Child, My Beloved. . . every bit of pain and agony I went through on the cross was worth it to have you in eternity with Me. Fix your eyes on Me, the author and perfecter of your faith. It is I who endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. You have a wonderful future. I know. I have prepared a place for you.”

I have experienced that Look of Love in His eyes over and over again and I can’t get enough of it! I have heard Him speak to me through His Word again and again and I can’t get enough of it! How about you?

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The Look of His Love

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Life is full of a lot of questions. I have learned that there is only One person who gives me the right answers to my questions. He is the One who has a Look of Love in His eyes.

The first time I experienced that Look of Love was at 10 years old when I began a relationship with Jesus. I experienced that Look of Love in His eyes as He said: “I chose you to be My child before I created the foundations of the earth. . .you are one of My original masterpieces that I created for My pleasure and My purposes.”

Over the years I have experienced His Look of Love in different ways and at different times. When I wandered away from Him, lived my own way, making my own decisions. . .as I returned to Him I saw the Look of Love in His eyes as He welcomed me back with open arms and said: “Welcome home My Child, welcome home. You’re blessed when you stay on My course, walking steadily on the road revealed by Me.”

I have learned that when I have an important decision to make and I frantically go to Him saying: “I could do this. . .or I could do that. . .or maybe. . .Oh! What do I do?” I see the Look of Love in His eyes as He says. . .”Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ I am your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

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Q & A

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

He plied him with many questions. . . (NIV) Luke 23:9a

Life is full of a lot of questions. Some are pretty simple to answer.

What time do I have to get up to make my first appointment?
What kind of coffee will I buy?
What should I wear?

Others are…more challenging.

Where do I find time for the important people and activities in my life?
How do I raise good kids?
How do I juggle my busy life and a career?
How can I be content as a single when I want to be married? Or How can I be content in my marriage?
Is my life making any difference?

There are many people and places where we can get the answers. . .from the media or magazines. . .from family members or friends. . .In “how to” books or from a counselor. . .from spouses or trusted confidants. Some people try to suppress the questions. While others claim to have all the answers.

Over the years I have learned that there is only One person who gives me the right answers to my questions. He is the One who has a Look of Love in His eyes.

Where do you go to find the answers to life’s questions?

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