Christ-follower, there are things you see that others do not see. There are things you know that others do not know. There are things that make perfect sense to you that other do not have the capacity to understand.
This week's blog posting: Hidden in Plain View
https://damonjgray.org/hidden-in-plain-view/
We say, "God is omnipotent!" (all powerful) and he is!
We say, "God is omniscient!" (all knowing) and he is!
We say, "God is omnipresent!" (everywhere at the same time) and he is!
But there are things God chooses not to know, or to remember no more. And there are places God chooses not to be. That's frightening. And that's something I want to address today - A Surefire Plan for Making God Leave Us Alone:
https://damonjgray.org/a-surefire-plan-for-making-god-leave-us-alone/
I occasionally hear (or read) someone ask for prayer, but then say it is an "unspoken" request. I cannot pray for such a request, and I explain why in this blog posting: "I Cannot Pray for Your 'Unspoken' Request."
Feel free to share your feedback.
https://damonjgray.org/i-cannot-pray-for-your-unspoken-request/
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is far more than a great miracle. It is the ultimate validation of who and what he is. Jesus is God.
This week's blog posting: Putting Jesus on Trial (Part 7)
https://damonjgray.org/puttin-jesus-on-trial-part-7/
There is a cliche in Christianity that produces a cringe within me every time I hear it vocalized or see it in print. Some well-meaning man or woman will say something like, “Well, you just need to make God ‘first’ in your life.” I completely disagree.
Here's why . . .
https://damonjgray.org/stop-putting-god-first/
Yeah, the Title is rather "Provocative!" 😊 I hope you found the read worthwhile, Sloane.
That’s a bold take! I definitely see how the 'God first' cliché can oversimplify things. Excited to read the full post and see your perspective on it. 🤔
This week, we arrive at Day Three following the death of Jesus. Something astonishing is about to happen. The third day is repeatedly presented to us in scripture as a day of profound significance.
This week's blog posting: Putting Jesus on Trial (Part 6)
https://damonjgray.org/putting-jesus-on-trial-part-6/
Too many choose not to read or study their Bible because they are frustrated from prior efforts and have become intimidated. Don't! You CAN read and understand your Bible
Download the FREE "Bible Study Basics" eBooklet.
https://mailchi.mp/859e63c69851/bible-study-basics
New to the faith? Young in faith? Needing to put down a solid foundation?
Great for individuals and small-group studies:
https://www.amazon.com/ROOTED-First-Steps-New-Christ-Followers/dp/B0DHR1B819/ref=sr_1_1
The crucifixion is complete. Jesus' followers, terrified of Rome, are hiding, and paralyzed by divine Sabbath law. Despite that Sabbath law, Jesus' enemies, are busy, mobilized by their own lust for power. Both groups are interested in Jesus' body staying exactly where it is, undisturbed. The "What now?" question has to be haunting both sides.
This week's blog posting: Putting Jesus on Trial (Part 5)
https://damonjgray.org/putting-jesus-on-trial-part-5/
You know . . . it is interesting that you make that comment because I almost skipped over this, as well as the "hike" from Pilate's sentencing to Golgotha, but as I started digging into them, I thought, "This really needs to be explored." So I did both of them. It warms my heart that you said what you said. I wasn't sure anyone would really care about those two "legs" of the story.
Wow . . . the last 20 seconds of the Kentucky Santa Clara game in regulation time were borderline unbelievable!!
There's an interesting exchange in Mark 6 that starts out saying, "The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught." All that THEY had done and taught...
I can picture their excitement as they unrolled the adventures for Jesus, with grins as wide as that of a Cheshire Cat. "Yeah, we did this and then we did that and we said this, and we said that, and it was all just so cool!!" Jesus' only comment was, "Come away for a while and rest up." Not more than three verses later, they seem a bit less eager to dive and with their "doing."
"And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.'"
This comment . . . after relating to Jesus all that THEY had done and taught. So, Jesus' response to them is, "You give them something to eat." (verse 37)
It is the epitome of arrogance for us to get all enamored with ourselves thinking it is US doing and teaching all these things. If that's the approach to ministry I am going to take then I can fully expect Jesus to say to me, "YOU give them something to eat since this is all about YOU."
No . . . not I but through Christ in me. Christ in me. It is all about Christ in me, the hope of glory. ~ Colossians 1:27
Seeing the Scriptures with spiritual eyes makes their meaning plain, simple, and easily understood. You've given us an excellent example here, Damon. Holy Spirit is the dynamo energizing all we do.
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That's true, Larry. If we walk by the Spirit, we will NOT feed the desires of the flesh. This is a sharp contrast for the concept of the "celebrity pastor," no?
Great word! It's amazing how quickly we go from 'look what I did' to 'this is too much for me.' We really need that rest
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Putting my man card at risk, I confess here and now . . . I am afraid of my cat.
Is anyone else having issues with getting the 4-digit SMS message for loggin in? I do not get the 4-digit code, and had to have the HelpDesk email it to me. I couldn't get in on my phone or from the desktop PC.
Am I alone with this?
Hello Shawn. Thank you for that explanation. I totally get it now. You'll note that I've been working in software development and IT consulting for decades, so I'm completely sympathetic to what you're facing. Thanks for engaging the battle on the users' behalf.
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Hey Damon! Yes sir...unfortunately we have battled it recently. To drastically reduce fake spam users (like other platforms) we built with SMS real mobile number verification since spammers can't have multiple verified mobile numbers. It's great, but we have recently been attacked by hackers trying to run the SMS bills into many $$$$. Just out of hatred. Sorry for the trouble. We are ironing that part.
In recent weeks, we have stood with Jesus in his trial before the Sanhedrin, in his interview with Pilate, and walked with him on the harrowing journey from his place of judgment to the place of his execution. We have arrived at Golgotha, "the place of the skull." We stand, now, at the intersection of Roman efficiency and the profound cultural shame of Roman crucifixion.
https://damonjgray.org/putting-jesus-on-trial-part-4/
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Geofrey Bogere
True 👍
20 hours ago