Tag: Bible

Let Me Hear

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

There are times I hear the truth but don’t want to believe it.  If I don’t open my mind and own it I don’t have to do anything about it, right?  I can just go on my way without having to change a thing.

Does this describe you?

Jesus talks about us in his parable of the sower.

The farmer scattered the seed, some fell on the path and the birds ate it up.  That’s you and me when our hearts are closed and we ignore the truth.

Some of the farmer’s seed fell on rocky soil where it sprang up but was quickly scorched and withered by the sun.

That can be you and me, too.  On those Sundays when the sermon we hear is right on target and hits home – do we let the truth change us?  When we watch a video broadcast and we get excited about what the Pastor is sharing with us – how much of that truth do we remember 1 hour later?  Do we remember anything about it beyond the next click on our phone?

Other seed fell among the thorns so they grew but were choked by the weeds.

Oh, yes.  That’s us.  God reveals truth to you and me and we think we get it and we make some temporary adjustments to our priorities and behavior.  But they become very temporary because other priorities squeeze to the top of our list and the changes don’t stick.  Our Bibles gather dust.  Lack of forgiveness and grace creep back in making us bitter instead of better.   Our lack of love sometimes makes it hard for others to love us.

But then there is the seed that falls on the good soil and produces a magnificent crop!

Isn’t that what you want your life to be?  I know that’s my goal.  I want to let the truth of God permeate my mind and my heart so that God can grow fruit through me – today and every day.

How about you?

Open my ears, Abba, so that I can hear.  Please open my heart and mind so your truth can make a permanent difference in my life.

Regret

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

It’s very painful.

We regret things we did…..

and we regret things we didn’t do.

One of the reasons regrets can be extremely difficult to deal with is because the action or lack of action is in the past.  Sometimes we can go back and apologize.

But there are times when we no longer have the chance to go back and try to make it right – we’ve lost touch with someone, situations have moved on to where there can be no positive conversation or, the big regret, someone has died before we got a chance to mend the rift.

Several times we read in the Bible that people were ‘gnashing their teeth’.

When I read that, I automatically think of the anguish of extreme regret –

I can’t believe I did that.

I can’t believe I didn’t notice that and say something or do something about it.

I should have called him as soon as I thought about him.

I am so sorry I didn’t tell her I loved her – now it’s too late.

Regret.

When it’s too late to try to make it right, you and I are left ‘gnashing our teeth’.  It hurts every time we think about it.

This phrase is always used in the Bible in relation to our final judgement.

For those of us who have believed and accepted salvation through Jesus, God has forgiven our sin once and for all time and we will go to our eternal home with our Father when we die.

Those who have not accepted salvation will have to pay the price for their rebellion and sin by being separated from God.

And they will experience the ultimate regret of missing the most important and beautiful and fulfilling relationship they could have had here on earth.  They will be ‘gnashing their teeth’ because the Light will leave their world.  They will exist in a dark and evil place under the rule of the Father of Lies.

Regret for missing the truth.

Regret for not admitting their sin and accepting the free gift of God’s grace.

Forever ‘gnashing their teeth.”

Please open their eyes, Abba Father.

 

It’s Intimidating

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

If you live in the United States and are employed, you are rich by the world’s standards.  You are in the top 3% of the world population if you make at least $30,000 a year.  Many of us are in the top 1% because we make more than that.

It may not feel like it since I live in the US but the truth is –  I am the rich person that God talks about so often in his Word.

Are you that rich person, too?

God gives us this truth in Luke 12, “From everyone who has been given much, much more will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Wow!  Intimidating!

I am definitely in the group that has been given much so much more is demanded of me.

I know I don’t actually own anything.  Everything I have has been entrusted to me by God.  And he expects me to use what he has given me for his purposes.  Years ago I also recognized that my children were his.  He loves them more than I do.  They are a gift to me to love and mentor during our time here on earth.

God demanded a very high price from me when my son, David Glasser, who was a police officer, was killed in the line of duty.  I know God is working his plan out here on earth but that doesn’t make the loss any smaller.  It doesn’t make the pain any less.

And ‘much’ is still being expected.

My son’s death was not all God is asking of me.  Now I have a new story of God’s love and faithfulness that I have to share.  Other people need to hear my story.  And that story is just beginning.

“From the one who has been entrusted with much, more will be asked.”

Please give me the strength and wisdom, Abba Father.

What Did She Do?

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

When I learn something really interesting, I love to share it.

When something great happens to me, I can’t wait to tell someone about it.

By her actions, this is exactly how the Samaritan woman felt after talking with Jesus.  She discovered he was the Messiah and didn’t even finish getting the water she had come to the well to get.  She left her jar and went into town, telling everyone she saw about Jesus.

She was excited.  She had great news!  She couldn’t wait to tell everyone!

One of the reasons this account is included in God’s word to us is to give us a great example to follow.

I should be like her – excited to tell people that I have met Jesus.  I should be anxious to share this Great News with them.

Satan has confused many of us by telling us that ‘religion’ is a personal thing.  ‘Religion’ may be private but my relationship with God should be as high on the list of topics to talk about with other people as my spouse or my children and grandchildren are.

Why not?  If we have our priorities right, he’s up there at the top.  And there’s no reason not to talk about that.  Many of us often disagree on which sports team to cheer for but we still talk about sports all the time, don’t we?  We don’t all like the same type of weather – hot or cold, sun or snow – but we still talk about the weather all the time, don’t we?

We can talk about God even though we don’t agree on everything.  We can’t let Satan keep us quiet.

And “many of the Samaritans from the town believed in him (Jesus) because of the woman’s testimony”  The people of the town had heard of the Messiah and now they knew someone who had met him.  So they believed.

Every day I experience the love and grace of Jesus in my life.

If you do, too, we both have a testimony which other people need to hear.

Please give us the opportunities and the words, Abba Father.

This is one of those prayers that God always says ‘yes’ to so be watching and ready.

Whoever…

On By Judy GlasserIn NovemberLeave a comment

Whenever.

Me, you, your family, your neighbors…..

someone you like……

and someone you don’t like.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Here it is – the Great News of the Gospel all in one verse!  Jesus told this to Nicodemus very early in his ministry.

Whoever.

Jesus’ arms are wide open for everyone.

Satan loves to twist the truth (always) when he whispers into people’s ears “God doesn’t really love everyone – why does Jesus say he’s the only way to heaven?  Shouldn’t there be lots of ways?”

Read John 3:16 again……slowly.

God loves us – all of us.  And he has paved the way of grace for all of us to be with him in heaven.  But there’s a price to be paid for our rebellion, lack of faith and sin.  And Jesus paid that price.  When any of us anywhere at any time accept salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the punishment that should have been ours is erased.  It’s gone.  Jesus’ death made our once-and-for-all forgiveness possible.

So let’s not let Satan get us all tangled up in his lies.  Let’s not let Satan distract us by offering ‘other ways’ that he tries to sell as more culturally relevant.

The truth doesn’t change.  John 3:16 is as important to us today as it was to Nicodemus thousands of years ago.

God loves the world and his grace is available FREE to everyone – even a thief on a cross who believed for the first time with his last breath.

Thank you for your gift of grace, Abba Father.

Truth – Not Lies

On By Judy GlasserIn OctoberLeave a comment

It’s a struggle, isn’t it?

Figuring out which way to go is not easy.  Discerning between truth and lies is tough.  Avoiding the bad decision to give into temptations – those things that are very attractive to us but aren’t good for us.

I am very inspired and encouraged by the account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.  Satan approached Jesus when he was at his weakest point – after a 40-day fast.  Of course, Satan offers him a way to get good food fast.  After a 40 day fast?  I can’t imagine it.

This is what Satan does to you and me, too.  He waits until we are most vulnerable and then dangles the carrot – or the bottle of beer, or the dish of ice cream, or the credit card – in front of us.

Satan tried to coax Jesus into turning some of the stones within his reach into bread.  “You need some food, Jesus.”

Satan also tried to get Jesus to show his strength and to prove his identity by jumping off the temple so the angels could swoop in with a big dramatic flare and save him.

Satan tried to appeal to Jesus’ human need for recognition and ‘more’ by offering him all the kingdoms of the world.

In each situation, Jesus replies with scripture.  Of course he does.  Because those are his Father’s words which are always true and always wise.

What a great role model for me! And for you!  When we are tempted, we should see what God has to say about it.  I’ve found it’s even better to memorize scripture so, just like Jesus, we can recall God’s words right in the middle of a situation.

That’s one of the reasons I love this account of Jesus’s life so much.  God does this in my life.  When I need truth and wisdom and I ask him for it, God highlights some of the scripture in my brain that I have memorized.

God has etched truth and wisdom into my head and he uses it daily to guide me.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Not ‘Good Enough’

On By Judy GlasserIn OctoberLeave a comment

I am not ‘good enough’.

If you haven’t figured this out yet, I’m sorry to be the first one to tell you that you’re not ‘good enough’.

On our own, we will never be ‘good enough’.  No amount of giving love, time or money can make us good enough.   Thank you, Father God, for your saving grace offered to all of us through the sacrifice and resurrection of your son, Jesus.  Because accepting salvation through Jesus makes me ‘good enough’.  I can’t do it by myself.

And it’s out of my love for and gratitude to God that I strive to ‘run the race’ of faith in a way that honors him.  Sometimes I’m able to run the race well and sometimes I fail.  That’s why I’m so glad that God loves me in spite of what I do, not because of what I do.  I can’t earn my salvation and that’s a relief because I will never be good enough on my own.

Every year, as I read through the Bible, I am reminded of God’s unconditional love for me as his child as I read the account of Jesus’ baptism.  Jesus hadn’t started his ministry yet at this point.  He hadn’t done any miracles or told any parables yet.

And God said, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

God was pleased with Jesus before he started his ministry.

Let that sink in.

God has told me that I am his child, the daughter of a king.  This means he loves me and is pleased with me in spite of what is in my head sometimes and in spite of what comes out of my mouth other times.  He loves me even when I don’t listen and just do what I want to do.  He loves me when I’m tired and crabby and no fun to be around.

I am so grateful for God’s grace……..because I could never be ‘good enough’ on my own.

Love you, Abba Father.

He Sends an Angel

On By Judy GlasserIn OctoberLeave a comment

Have you talked with an angel lately?

I’m reading the various accounts of Jesus’ birth in the gospels.  My chronological Bible puts them all together and I’m amazed once again by all of the personal interaction humans had with angels during this time.

Angels were popping up all over!

I’m a little jealous.  I think it would be fabulous – and a little scary – to talk with an angel.  There’s a reason the first thing angels always say to humans is “Fear not”.

Such a moment!  I know God sent you.  I get it – this is a supernatural interaction and I am all ears.

But – then I realized.  God still sends angels into my life today but they wear regular clothes and walk on two legs like me.

Since Jesus turned everything upside down by dying on the cross for us and sending his Spirit to live inside of believers, I think God often uses us average-type people to be angels for each other.  When we obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, God can use us like he uses angels in the New Testament.  God can speak through us into other people’s lives to love each other, encourage each other and to speak truth.

God has commissioned all believers to have a purpose and a part in his plan here on earth.

That’s you and me.

Wings are optional.

Love you, Abba.

What Do I Believe?

On By Judy GlasserIn OctoberLeave a comment

Do I really believe God loves me unconditionally?

Do I really believe God is all-powerful and that nothing is impossible for him?

Do I really believe that God wants the best for me and is working everything out for my good?

Yes, I do.

And, because I believe these things, I am willing to live each day based on these truths.

I bet some of these same thoughts, questions and decisions must have been going through Mary’s mind as the Angel Gabriel told her she was going to give birth to a son who would be a great king and whose kingdom would never end.

What did she really believe?  Was she willing to accept this very tough, extremely supernatural assignment for her life with the calm assurance that God would keep all of his promises to her?

Mary’s faith was strong and sure.  “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  Then the angel left her.

Right answer, Mary!

Does this challenge you?  It definitely challenges me.

God has given me a very tough road to travel following the death of my son, David Glasser, a Phoenix Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty May 19, 2016.

It’s a very dark, grief-filled road with lots of hazards.

Do I believe that God can work even this evil and horrible event out for my good?  That’s a very difficult question.

And my answer is yes.

But the good that will come from this will be good based on God’s perspective which is not always my perspective.   You can probably imagine my perspective – I want Davey to still be here on earth, living less than 2 miles from me, dropping by later with his son to pick up my husband so they can all go to Home Depot like they did at least once a week.  That will never happen again.

God’s perspective is focused on eternity and he is teaching me some lessons I never wanted to learn about focusing myself on eternity as well.  I am realizing that people getting the chance to hear the messages of Davey’s legacy of love is a win for God.  The opportunities we are getting to share God’s love with others is a win for God.  Any chance I get to tell my story of God’s faithfulness to me and to my family  through this tragedy is a win for God.

And – as long as God is winning – I’m good.  I’ll submit.  I’ll trust.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Love you, Abba Father.

400 years of Silence

On By Judy GlasserIn OctoberLeave a comment

I can’t imagine it – God being silent for 400 years.

That’s the amount of time between the Old Testament and the New.   So it is said that God was silent.

But was he?  Really?

It’s hard for me to imagine that my Father God who loves us and cares for us so diligently each day would be quiet for 400 years.  I think it’s very possible that he was speaking and interacting with people at that time but none of it was meant to become part of his revelation to us so it was not included in the Bible.

When I think about how much I need God each day and knowing that there were some faithful people during that time as well, it doesn’t make sense that he was actually silent for 400 years.  It doesn’t sound like something he would do.

But we know that there were 400 years between the two parts of the Bible.  For some reason, God put in a significant break before he begins the account of his greatest Gift of all time – salvation through his son, Jesus Christ.

Mark’s account says, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the son of God”.

John’s account says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”

The Light of the World was arriving – we would never be the same.

Amen.  Hallelujah!

Thank you, Abba Father.