Jesus | Revelations From The Road

Pre-Forgiven

February 10, 2010 by Bill 1 Comment

Given November 29, 2009

We’ve all received these mailings from companies teasing us with “Pre-approved”, “0%”, and “Free Gift”, all trying to lure us into their camp. Some of the hooks are pretty interesting but I got one recently that really caught my attention. It said, “Pre-Forgiven”. It was from an insurance company offering to forgive me for an accident in my future with tagline, “Open to find out how. *”. Notice the asterisk? There must be a catch to it, look out!

As with many things lately, my mind immediately thinks of something spiritual in this. Pre-forgiven…..hmmm… “I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.” 1 John 2:12. Yes that’s right, our sins have already been forgiven by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. We ARE pre-forgiven. But let us not miss the key, we have to accept that forgiveness. We have to open the Word of God to, “find out how”and there’s no catch to it; it’s available and we just have to accept it. “..whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.

But there is a warning the apostle Paul gives us, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:1-2. The fact that we are pre-forgiven does not give us the freedom to go on sinning depending on the grace of God to keep on forgiving us. That’s the wrong attitude. So open that envelope, (the Bible), and find out how you are “Pre-forgiven”.

You might be interested in another take on this topic from the blog of Emily-Sarah Lineback at: http://whitlineink.com/lifeinfirstperson/?p=518&cpage=1.

Lessons From Technology – Folder Structure

January 24, 2010 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given February 2008

People who use computers are familiar with files and folders. Computer folders are like file folders in file cabinets, a place to store items organized in a structure where they can be easily found. There can be folders inside folders which are inside other folders…on and on. When you look at a computer folder or file cabinet, you don’t really know what all is inside.

Imagine a “God” folder. You see a little plus sign next to it indicating there are other folders inside. Some people never “click” on the plus sign to see what else is in there. There’s also “Jesus” and “Holy Spirit” folders with plus signs. You open the Jesus folder and see Salvation, Blessings, Healing, Provision, Mercy, Grace, etc. all with plus signs. As John Bevere says on our Wednesday nights DVD curriculum “Are you seeing this?”. Inside every folder are other folders and files of the good things God has for us; an infinite number of things, and most people, Christians included, never expand the folder structure to see what is there.

“For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36. The Bible, prayer, and fellowship with God’s people is where you will find the folders with the plus signs. Go there and “click” and keep on clicking to see the wonders God has for us all.

Quick Point – Christmas

December 24, 2009 by Bill 2 Comments

Given December 24, 2009

We have had a devastating snow storm in our part of Virginia and many were without power and water for several days. The Dotson household went 5 days without electricity and it has changed our traditional Christmas and made me think about all this. As I was driving home from delivering a gift to my brother and his family, I saw all the Christmas lights shining now that power is back on and thought about the shopping, eating, traveling, and other “traditions” surrounding the holiday. I prayed, “Jesus, you don’t think too much about all this do you?” You only want us to remember why you came and to follow your lead as we live our lives.” I felt like He was saying, “You’ve got it Bill.”

It would still be Christmas even without all the “stuff” we have tagged onto the holiday. Happy birthday Jesus!

Did You Know..Jesus Was Tempted With Lust?

November 21, 2009 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 8, 2009

Oh no! Jesus would never do that! He was God! Consider this, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. According to this, Jesus was tempted with everything we are tempted with. When we pray for help with stuff the devil tempts us with or ask forgiveness when we fail, Jesus knows what it feels like. He’s been through it too. The big difference is that He never gave in to temptation; he rejected it every time.

Remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness? He considered the temptations but rejected them all by saying, “It is written…” (Matthew 4: verses 4, 7, and 10). As a man He was in a weakened condition from fasting 40 days and the devil knew it but Jesus knew the Word. We are tempted in our weaknesses and the devil knows what they are. Our strength is in God’s Word.

One more thing: You’re not the only one being tempted and whatever it is, you CAN reject it as Jesus did. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:14. Jesus had a way out of temptation and we do too…the Word!

You didn’t think Jesus could be tempted with the things you are tempted with? Now you know, be comforted.

The Seed

November 13, 2009 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given September 1, 2009

Think of what you know about a seed. You plant a seed in the ground, water it, and wait. Soon it sprouts, breaks the ground, you keep the weeds away, and the former seed blossoms into a beautiful plant. And…produces more seeds for the process to replicate.

You may not have thought of it this way. The seed contains within itself all the attributes of its parent. An acorn has within its 3/4s of an inch everything the 60 foot tall adult oak tree will be. If planted in the ground and cared for properly, it will reproduce like its parent and become like its parent. Can we agree with that? Sure.

When we got saved, the seed of Jesus was planted in us. “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.” Galatians 3:16. All the potential of the parent is there. We must water it with the Word, nurture it, keep the weeds out, and it WILL produce the Father in us. It is possible. The apostle Paul said, “We have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16. And John says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2. Think about it, it’s in us.

And, one other thing; most plants produce fruit. We are to produce fruit and be know by it, Matthew 7:16, and that reflects our parent. But I heard something else the other day; fruit is not produced for the benefit of the plant, it is for the benefit of others. A tree doesn’t eat its own apple. It is known by the apple but the apple is solely for someone else. What do you think about this?