I had the incredible opportunity to go see the story of Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA last week and was completely blown away. Of course the great acting and music and professional performance all contributed to that, but it was the story that captured my heart. I have read the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis many times, but nothing was like seeing the events unfold before my very eyes. There were so many nuggets to take away from this story but one just jumped out at me. I would like to share it with you.
In one scene of the show, Jacob was talking with Joseph who at this time was only a young man. Jacob was sharing with his son the account of when he wrestled with God. Of course, with a careful study of scripture and a knowledge of who Jesus was in the old testament, we know that the one Jacob wrestled with was Jesus! As he is recounting the memory of that eventful night, he remembers how he felt. He remembered feeling helpless when he was running away from his brother Esau. He remembered when a "man" wrestled with him all night until Jacob prevailed. When the "man" saw that he wasn't winning against Jacob, He touched his hip socket until it was dislocated. He asked again if Jacob would let go of Him. Jacob answered this "man" and said something that to me was very powerful. He said in Genesis 32:26 "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Wow!!! Jacob knew that even though it may cost him, even to the point of walking with a limp for the rest of his life, he wasn't going to let go of God. The point to this story is this:Don't let go of Jesus no matter what the cost. Hold on with everything you have and plead with Jesus to touch you. The even greater part of this was that Jesus did just that! He looked at Jacob and said, "No longer will you be called Jacob, but you will be called Israel, for you have wrestled with God and men and prevailed."
Are you willing to hold onto to Jesus no matter what it may cost you? Even if your life and the way you walk changes, will it matter as long as you know you've seen God face to face? My encouragement friend, hold onto Jesus at all times. I promise you, your walk with Him will change forever.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Word is a Weapon
Back in January I had the chance to see one of the most incredible movies I have ever seen. The Book of Eli was definitely an eye opener for me. This movie is set to come out on dvd this week and because of that, I thought I would share a thought or two from that movie. If you haven't seen it yet, please, please, please, make it a point to rent or buy it when it comes out on the 15th.
Eli is a man living in the post-apocalyptic era. He is one of only a select few survivors. Eli is given a mandate, and this mandate is made clearer as the movie goes on. His goal, to protect a book that he was entrusted with. The purpose of protecting this book was to ensure that mankind would be changed by the contents of the book. If your starting to guess what book this is, then your on the right track. It's the BIBLE! There are so many lines in this movie that are powerful. As you watch the movie, I would encourage you to have a journal or a pen and paper handy so you can right down all the nuggets in this movie. Let me share one with you.
While he is carrying this book to an unknown location, he is met by a man that knows about the book and is trying to find ever copy of it that he can in order to keep it for himself. But his intentions aren't to use the book for his own edification, but rather to keep it from getting into the hands of other people. In one amazing line that he says to one of his men, he was asked what was so special about this book. He replied by saying, "It's not just a book, its a weapon! A book aimed right at the hearts and mind of the weak and the desperate." WOW! When I heard this hollywood movie express that the Bible was a book aimed right at the hearts and mind of the weak and the desperate I almost fell off my seat. But isn't that true? That's exactly what the Bible is. God's written word, His letter to us His people, a book that speaks into the lives of people that are desperately seeking for a Savior! It's a weapon. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It's has the power to save, deliver, bring joy and peace, correct and speak life into a life-less soul.
How do you use your weapon? Do you use it at all? Are we reading the word of God enough for it to change us? I am not speaking of a religious obligation to read a book just to ease your conscience. I'm talking about using a weapon that God gave us to withstand the attacks from the enemy. The word is a weapon! Aim it, pull the trigger back and let it fly, baby!
Eli is a man living in the post-apocalyptic era. He is one of only a select few survivors. Eli is given a mandate, and this mandate is made clearer as the movie goes on. His goal, to protect a book that he was entrusted with. The purpose of protecting this book was to ensure that mankind would be changed by the contents of the book. If your starting to guess what book this is, then your on the right track. It's the BIBLE! There are so many lines in this movie that are powerful. As you watch the movie, I would encourage you to have a journal or a pen and paper handy so you can right down all the nuggets in this movie. Let me share one with you.
While he is carrying this book to an unknown location, he is met by a man that knows about the book and is trying to find ever copy of it that he can in order to keep it for himself. But his intentions aren't to use the book for his own edification, but rather to keep it from getting into the hands of other people. In one amazing line that he says to one of his men, he was asked what was so special about this book. He replied by saying, "It's not just a book, its a weapon! A book aimed right at the hearts and mind of the weak and the desperate." WOW! When I heard this hollywood movie express that the Bible was a book aimed right at the hearts and mind of the weak and the desperate I almost fell off my seat. But isn't that true? That's exactly what the Bible is. God's written word, His letter to us His people, a book that speaks into the lives of people that are desperately seeking for a Savior! It's a weapon. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It's has the power to save, deliver, bring joy and peace, correct and speak life into a life-less soul.
How do you use your weapon? Do you use it at all? Are we reading the word of God enough for it to change us? I am not speaking of a religious obligation to read a book just to ease your conscience. I'm talking about using a weapon that God gave us to withstand the attacks from the enemy. The word is a weapon! Aim it, pull the trigger back and let it fly, baby!
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