Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

By No Other Name–I AM

Psalms_8-9 thy name

 

13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14)

God declares His name in the present tense, for He has always been, is now, and shall forever be. Stating “I AM WHO I AM” with precise clarity, God describes His character which speaks for itself. It is “WHO I AM.”

A name can speak authority, manifest power, declare celebrity, carry legacy. Each name represents life and existence, along with the capability of what we can become. We are named at birth, but the significance of our given name is what we do with our lives. This
becomes our character and our legacy, recognized by–and represented through– our name.

In a Beatles’ song, Eleanor Rigby is “buried along with her name.” ¹ There is no legacy, no lasting measure of a difference made by living.

There is a name, however, that we can chose, beyond our birth name, which gives us eternal life and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in this temporal life. Bearing the name “Christian” means speaking with the authority of the Word, manifesting the power found in Christ, shining with the celebrity of His name (that has not faded with
time), and carrying the weight of His legacy. The character that accompanies this name “Christian” must be worthy. Who we are should clearly show the character of Christ.

The significance of being called “Christian” is clearly shown upon examination of this word. The suffix “ian” or “an” in the word “Christian” means the following: “belonging to or relating to; typical of or resembling; adhering to or following; a person who specializes or is expert in.”² Bearing the name “Christian,” we belong and relate to, resemble, adhere to and follow Christ. We should be specialists and experts in what it means to be a Christian.

By no other name can we enter eternity with Christ but “Christian.” Our character must reveal Christ through our actions and our words to bear this name. It is the name that will not be left on a tombstone to fade and disappear with time. It is a name that will endure and be acknowledged by Christ as we enter the presence of I AM forever.

¹ “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles/1966 release/Album Revolver                                                    ² Suffix “ian” or “an” meaning from dictionary.com

(Sharon G. Tate blog 04/28/18) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

NEW LIFE UNDER GOD’S LIGHT

 

 

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

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The old self is the familiar self. It is hard to leave the comfort of familiarity and start anew. Like the plant trying to break through the hardened ground to reach the light and grow, we struggle. The darkness underground in the shadows envelops us, seemingly hiding what we don’t want the Light to see associated with our old self.

We know His Light will change us. It will reveal what we cannot hide. We are unable to remain the same under the influence of Light. The plant knows this about light. Photosynthesis is innate to its existence and    sustenance. God imbued the plant with this “understanding.” It is changed by light, as we are when we yield to its life-giving effects.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the  resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.   (I Peter 1:3-5)

The old self, that we have come to know so well, cannot grow and change. It is an Old Life Dying every moment. The old must die to  release the reborn me and you in a New Engaging Walk with the Light.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Death, in our culture, is usually associated with feelings of fear, anxiety, dread, and avoidance. Yet, through the Light of Christ, death to our old self is the means through which we can each grow to prepare for our new life eternal. From death is the hope to rise anew, to break through the hard ground out of the darkness, to reach upward and bend, like the plant, toward the saving Light.

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Let us each follow His Light.

He is the path to salvation,

Our Guide home through the darkness.

(Sharon G. Tate blog 04/22/18)  teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

In Awe of our Awesome God!

Awesome wonders mountains

 

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)

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WONDER: “To be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel” 1

My three-year-old grandson was tugging on my son’s hand, trying to make him move more quickly around the pond walkway. Suddenly, he stopped, pointed, and loudly exclaimed, “Magic! Magic, Daddy!” We all stopped to look.

Sparkling lights were dancing atop the water from the sun’s reflection and the combined motion of the water with the wind.  Indeed, it did look magical. But the real wonder was not created by sleight of hand through any magic but by God, Who spoke the elements into existence, thus forming the possibility of this scenario of light, water, and wind to create a moment of beauty witnessed first by the innocence of a child. It was the child, imbued with innate wonder, who made the adults stop– and notice the dance.

Tugging the child’s hand, we moved ahead on the walkway, soon reaching the other side of the pond. But the little boy kept looking back at the water, whispering “Magic.” He was still amazed, awed. Did we, too, see with the eyes of the child, with the eyes of children of God—and marvel?

The wonders God has done just for us in this world demand our gratitude, our amazement, and our awe:

14 “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. 

15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? 

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?  (Job 37:14-16)

 

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. 

20 You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. 

21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. 

22 The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. 

23 Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening. 

24 How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. (Psalm 104:19-24)

 

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works— 

32 He Who looks at the earth, and it trembles, Who touches the mountains, and they smoke. 

33 I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 

34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the LORD. (Psalm 104:31-34)

May our meditation be pleasing to Him, Who created wonders just for us to enjoy. Let us rejoice always in the Lord and be amazed by His sparkles of Light, reflected in all creation. May our eyes behold in awe, as our lips whisper, “GOD.”

1 http://www.dictionary.com

(Sharon G. Tate blog 04/08/18) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word

 

TeacherStudent

The Man on the Path to the Cross

Crowds gather to watch,

Some crying and wailing,

Others yelling “Crucify Him!”

The man on the path–innocent.

 

His body scarred and bloody,

Flogged and spit upon,

Weakened and fatigued,

Carrying a weight–the cross.

 

Knees collapsing into sand,

Simon forced to lift the load,

Yet the burden remaining

Within the man on the path.

 

Looking ahead to Golgotha,

The place of the skull—

Death awaits, has waited. . .

Since his first cry in the manger.

 

The man has seen the path ahead–

In the temple on His Father’s business,

In the upper room sharing the bread,

In the garden praying alone “Thy Will.”

 

We watch from a distance, His path,

And know the final walk is victory.

The man, Son of God, on the cross,

Obedient to sacrifice–“It is Finished.”

 

(Sharon  G. Tate 03/25/18)    teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE? The question seeks an answer.

 

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for Me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times! (John 13:37-38)

What would I have done?

The question seeks an answer.

Lay down my life for Him

And never disown my Lord.

Like Peter, I would boldly speak.

 17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”

25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. (John 18:17, 25-27)

What would I have done?

The question seeks an answer.

Within myself, I find doubt-

Denial, fear, guilt, sorrow.

Like Peter, I am also weak.

60 Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the words the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

What would I have done?

The question seeks an answer.

I feel the Savior’s eyes on me-

Peering, knowing, forgiving.

Like Peter, I am weeping too.

13 . . . “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”

14 And they said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”

15 He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?”

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:13-18)

What would I have done?

The question seeks an answer.

Respond with “some say” or declare-

“My Lord is the Christ, the Son of God.”

Like Peter, let me boldly speak.

A weak vessel becomes strong. His actions declare, “I am His disciple.”  His faith speaks God’s Truth, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He follows the command to go and spread this Truth to others.

WHAT WILL I DO TODAY?

The question seeks an answer.

(Sharon G. Tate blog 03/11/18) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

The Empty Seat

 

Attendance taken.

Missing today.

 Check mark. √

Absent—beyond the check mark:

My day off, so I slept in.

Other things were scheduled.

Just didn’t feel like coming today.

I won’t be missed anyway.

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24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.       (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Your presence is an important encouragement to my growth in the Lord as my presence should be to yours. When we are absent from one another on the Lord’s Day, it involves more than empty seats.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship,  to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) 

The fellowship of our church family is less with your absence or my absence. When we commune together during the passing of the bread and cup, a seat—mine or yours– is skipped over. Our family is missing an important member.

11 So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Together, we are strengthened and unified in the faith. We help each other strive to attain maturity in the Lord.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

To “admonish” is to advise, counsel, urge, take to task. I need you and you need me “to teach and admonish one another” in the Lord.

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ . . .15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (I Corinthians 12:12, 15-20)

The Lord misses you, and He misses me when we are absent. The body is not whole with the empty seat. He is there. His seat is never empty. “For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Let us be present with each other in the Presence of the Lord. You matter. I matter. 

Christ gave His life for you and for me.

 (Sharon G. Tate blog 03/04/18)  teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

HOPE, JOY, FAITH, PEACE vs A Meaningless Life

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

3 What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?

(Ecclesiastes 1:2-3)

Homeward

Objective–

Perpetual

Emancipation.

8All things are wearisome,
    more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
    nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun.

(Ecclesiastes 1: 8-9)

Jubilant

Onward

Yearning. 

15 Then I said to myself,

“The fate of the fool will overtake me also.
    What then do I gain by being wise?”
I said to myself,
    “This too is meaningless.”
16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered;
    the days have already come when both have been forgotten.
Like the fool, the wise too must die!

(Ecclesiastes 2:15-16)

Firmly

Anchored-

Internal

Thinking

Heavenward.

22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:22)

Perfect

Eternal

Abba

Centered

Existence.

Which daily mindset will you choose?

 (Sharon G. Tate blog 02/25/18 ) teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

His Voice Speaking, His Light Penetrating Through Our Darkness

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

 

LOST.

Dusk wrapped in night.

DARKNESS.

Stars invisible to sight.

FEAR.

Moon hidden from light.

DESPAIR.

Mankind’s common plight.

 

When we are so lost into depths of adversity and affliction,

Where it seems hope cannot exist,

It is in these moments the Lord can be heard speaking,

His Light can be seen showing direction,

Breaking through darkness to remove the grip of fear

And the hopelessness of despair.

 

LOST.

Have you been there, in that place?

DARKNESS.

Have you heard Him, in that blackness?

SPEAKING.

Have you seen Him, through the gloom?

BRILLIANT.

Have you thanked Him, for His Presence?

5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:5-7)

LOST in DARKNESS, FEAR, and DESPAIR.

We only fully experience these when we are without Christ, when we don’t hear Him and see Him at our side as we go through the afflictions and trials of life.

Lord, help us hear Your Words of guidance and sense Your Abiding Presence with us through times of suffering and of joy.  Help us accept and understand that our lives  are being shaped and molded through trial and adversity for Your higher purposes.  Amen.

 

(Sharon G. Tate blog 02/11/18) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word

 

TeacherStudent

Our Seasons with God

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter,day and night will never cease. (Genesis 8:22)

WINTER:
White raiment
Crystalline sparkle
Powdery wisps
Silent echoes
Dormant life
Resting hope
In God’s time.

Winter, the season often associated with an end and death, actually signals the onset of new life and hope lingering beneath the soil–waiting. This is God’s promise—“as long as the earth endures.”

And what of our winter season here on this earth? Writers have linked youth with spring and summer, fall with aging maturity, and winter with our final years of decline. Can we not reframe the picture and see a different view of this stage in our lives:

White raiment: Donning a garment of greater purity before the Lord.
Crystalline sparkle: Shining in the Light of His Glory.
Powdery wisps: Rising above earthly ties for a closer view of heaven.
Silent echoes: Listening to the voices of those before us in the Lord.
Dormant life: Believing more is yet to be—beyond the “me” I now see.
Resting hope: Waiting patiently for new hope and life with God.
In God’s time: Trusting that His time is best in all seasons.

The winter years for disciples of the Lord should be ones reflecting a closer relationship with God, a greater purity within, a stronger belief held, a deeper longing for heaven, and a patient trust that the Lord will walk with us through this final season in our earthly lives.

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Seasons praying hands of ages

–A white-haired woman in a wheelchair, focusing intently on the preacher’s message, whispers “Amen.”
–The younger woman sitting beside her, hearing the whisper, invokes “Amen.”
–An elderly man with a cane, standing before the congregation praying, speaks “Amen.”
–The younger man beside him at the table, following the example, echoes “Amen.”
–An older woman sitting in the pew, hearing both the message and the prayer, reaffirms   “Amen.”
–The young child beside the woman, looking up at her with innocent eyes, repeats “Amen.”

SO BE IT. Let us rejoice in the God-given seasons of our lives, being the lead and example for those passing through the seasons we have already experienced, as we prepare for our own winter that will come with its hope of promise. Thank you, Lord.  AMEN.

(Sharon G. Tate blog 01/28/18) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word

TeacherStudent

“Follow Me”: The Meaning of Love as His Disciple

 

 

There are consequences to being a committed disciple of Jesus .Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple

must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

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“Gotta go. Love ya.”

 “Love ya back.” Turning.

 “Love ya more.” Waving.

Has the use of the word “love” become more and more casual in our communications?  What have we lost in the translation by possible overuse of this word that may result in the absence of true commitment in relationships?

For the Lord, who asked Peter three times if he loved Him, the meaning meant a deep commitment of sacrifice—even onto death.

The Cost of Love in Discipleship

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love You.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love You.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21: 12-19)

Master and disciple

Communicating

Three responses,

In so revealing

Love, Love, Love

Profound Depth

Beneath the words–

Follow The Master

With commitment

In shared sacrifice.

When we say to the Lord, “You know that I love You,”

We must remember His words of commitment–

“Follow me” –and what they mean in love to Him.

(Sharon G. Tate 01/21/18 blog) teacherforjesus.com Meditations on God’s Word