Jean Coleman's Blog - Posts Tagged "scripture"
WHY JESUS WEPT
Lazarus was dead and our Lord Jesus wept,
But He told His disciples that Lazarus just slept.
The death of the body to Jesus was sleep
For the soul lives forever in His precious sheep.
The mourners were weeping,
They were all filled with gloom
And Christ too was troubled that day by the tomb.
For Lazarus had gone to a far better life,
A life free from sickness and pain, hate and strife.
Yet to show all God's glory, Jesus needed him here.
Lazarus had to come back so the truth would be clear.
And so Jesus wept as He called Lazarus out,
Back to sin, hate and evil and to pain and to doubt.
For Lazarus had seen just what joy lies in store
For those who by faith enter through heaven's door.
But the Master had called him, so Lazarus returned,
And the truth Christ was Savior, the people discerned.
The life-giving Savior before them did stand
And the might of His power they spread through the land.
And Lazarus who saw heaven's glory unfurled
Once more walked the paths of our sinful old world.
And that's why our blessed Lord Jesus did cry--
He had brought Lazarus back from the glory on high.
From the Gospel of John 11:1-45
But He told His disciples that Lazarus just slept.
The death of the body to Jesus was sleep
For the soul lives forever in His precious sheep.
The mourners were weeping,
They were all filled with gloom
And Christ too was troubled that day by the tomb.
For Lazarus had gone to a far better life,
A life free from sickness and pain, hate and strife.
Yet to show all God's glory, Jesus needed him here.
Lazarus had to come back so the truth would be clear.
And so Jesus wept as He called Lazarus out,
Back to sin, hate and evil and to pain and to doubt.
For Lazarus had seen just what joy lies in store
For those who by faith enter through heaven's door.
But the Master had called him, so Lazarus returned,
And the truth Christ was Savior, the people discerned.
The life-giving Savior before them did stand
And the might of His power they spread through the land.
And Lazarus who saw heaven's glory unfurled
Once more walked the paths of our sinful old world.
And that's why our blessed Lord Jesus did cry--
He had brought Lazarus back from the glory on high.
From the Gospel of John 11:1-45
WHAT IS LOVE?
Love is everything that's lovely, love is patient, love is kind,
Love's not jealous, love's not boastful, no arrogance you find.
Love's not rude and not resentful, love rejoices not in wrong,
Love is not a clanging cymbal, love is not a noisy gong.
Love is gentle, love is tender, love is giving, love is good,
Love is righteous, love is holy, love is living as one should.
Love is thinking first of others and seeing to their need,
Love is mercy and forgiveness, does not covet, knows no greed.
Love is not puffed up or haughty, shows humility to all,
Love is hating what is evil once you've heard the Master's call.
Love is giving to your neighbor, even when you go without,
Love is walking close to Jesus, overcoming fear and doubt.
Love is hoping, love's believing, love's enduring to the end,
Love is bearing all things gladly because Jesus is your friend.
Love remains with you forever, love will never pass away,
Love's a living constant presence as you walk with Christ each day.
Love is everything that's perfect, love is everything that's right,
Love is following after Jesus and keeping Him in sight.
Love's the answer to all problems, love's the greatest gift that's known,
Love reflects our Maker's image for through love God's grace is shown.
Love's not jealous, love's not boastful, no arrogance you find.
Love's not rude and not resentful, love rejoices not in wrong,
Love is not a clanging cymbal, love is not a noisy gong.
Love is gentle, love is tender, love is giving, love is good,
Love is righteous, love is holy, love is living as one should.
Love is thinking first of others and seeing to their need,
Love is mercy and forgiveness, does not covet, knows no greed.
Love is not puffed up or haughty, shows humility to all,
Love is hating what is evil once you've heard the Master's call.
Love is giving to your neighbor, even when you go without,
Love is walking close to Jesus, overcoming fear and doubt.
Love is hoping, love's believing, love's enduring to the end,
Love is bearing all things gladly because Jesus is your friend.
Love remains with you forever, love will never pass away,
Love's a living constant presence as you walk with Christ each day.
Love is everything that's perfect, love is everything that's right,
Love is following after Jesus and keeping Him in sight.
Love's the answer to all problems, love's the greatest gift that's known,
Love reflects our Maker's image for through love God's grace is shown.
PUZZLE PIECE
Your Bible is very much like a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle. When you pick up the Bible, it is like you are holding the puzzle box containing the many pieces that must be put together to form the total picture. Between the covers of this most remarkable book you will discover a picture of Almighty God, but you must painstakingly assemble the pieces that are supplied, line upon line, precept upon precept until the entire puzzle is complete.
As in any puzzle, the most important place to start is with the border and you will quickly learn that the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John comprise the border of the Bible. Every doctrine and teaching in the scriptures is based upon the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as recorded in the gospels. Without the gospels the rest of the Bible wouldn't hold together because the framework for the entire Old and New Testaments depends upon the solid message of the four gospels. Without the gospels you can only see scattered pieces containing historical facts, narratives, parables and allegories. But within the confines of the gospels everything falls into place and is held firmly by the tremendous revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Once the border is in place, it is time to start working on filling in the center of the puzzle. The Book of Acts and the epistles connect easily with the gospels and will make the picture much clearer. The many great doctrines brought forth by Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude through their letters reveal more and more of the mind of God.
The picture of who God is and His plan for mankind becomes more obvious as each piece is sought, found and put into place. At times the magnitude of this undertaking can be almost overwhelming. Who can hope to comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom of God? But the Holy Spirit continues to encourage with these words, "Seek and you shall find." Every piece that is firmly positioned into place shows more of God's likeness.
The Acts of the Apostles and the various epistles are really like the pieces that form the background of a jigsaw puzzle. In the Bible you begin to see the church come into view as people are tightly joined together side by side. These vital pieces combine to bring forth the revelation that the Holy Spirit is making us one in Christ Jesus and gathering us together in His name.
The Book of Revelation might be compared to pieces that when connected show mountain ranges far off in the distance, with the colors difficult to discern but nevertheless bridging heaven and earth. The puzzle becomes more difficult to put together now and involves more trial and error. The piece you thought was the correct one yesterday, viewed in today's light obviously does not fit. It can be tempting to give up at this point. The "easy" part of the puzzle is completed and the going becomes very slow. One can become discouraged and stop working before the entire puzzle is assembled. So many pieces still remain outside the frame.
And what about the Old Testament? How does that fit into the picture puzzle? It can possibly be compared to the hundreds of pieces of sky that must be put into place before the puzzle is finished. You don't need these pieces to see Jesus, but without them the puzzle still remains incomplete.
It will take a lifetime to put together the entire puzzle joining piece to piece, but don't get discouraged. The Lord has sent a Helper to assist you in finding the right piece at the right time for the right place. The Holy Spirit will be there at your side pointing out the pieces and showing you how it all comes together. Who knows? Perhaps it will be in heaven when your last piece is finally placed and the puzzle completed.
Following In His Footsteps: Walking Day by Day with Jesus
As in any puzzle, the most important place to start is with the border and you will quickly learn that the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John comprise the border of the Bible. Every doctrine and teaching in the scriptures is based upon the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as recorded in the gospels. Without the gospels the rest of the Bible wouldn't hold together because the framework for the entire Old and New Testaments depends upon the solid message of the four gospels. Without the gospels you can only see scattered pieces containing historical facts, narratives, parables and allegories. But within the confines of the gospels everything falls into place and is held firmly by the tremendous revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Once the border is in place, it is time to start working on filling in the center of the puzzle. The Book of Acts and the epistles connect easily with the gospels and will make the picture much clearer. The many great doctrines brought forth by Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude through their letters reveal more and more of the mind of God.
The picture of who God is and His plan for mankind becomes more obvious as each piece is sought, found and put into place. At times the magnitude of this undertaking can be almost overwhelming. Who can hope to comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom of God? But the Holy Spirit continues to encourage with these words, "Seek and you shall find." Every piece that is firmly positioned into place shows more of God's likeness.
The Acts of the Apostles and the various epistles are really like the pieces that form the background of a jigsaw puzzle. In the Bible you begin to see the church come into view as people are tightly joined together side by side. These vital pieces combine to bring forth the revelation that the Holy Spirit is making us one in Christ Jesus and gathering us together in His name.
The Book of Revelation might be compared to pieces that when connected show mountain ranges far off in the distance, with the colors difficult to discern but nevertheless bridging heaven and earth. The puzzle becomes more difficult to put together now and involves more trial and error. The piece you thought was the correct one yesterday, viewed in today's light obviously does not fit. It can be tempting to give up at this point. The "easy" part of the puzzle is completed and the going becomes very slow. One can become discouraged and stop working before the entire puzzle is assembled. So many pieces still remain outside the frame.
And what about the Old Testament? How does that fit into the picture puzzle? It can possibly be compared to the hundreds of pieces of sky that must be put into place before the puzzle is finished. You don't need these pieces to see Jesus, but without them the puzzle still remains incomplete.
It will take a lifetime to put together the entire puzzle joining piece to piece, but don't get discouraged. The Lord has sent a Helper to assist you in finding the right piece at the right time for the right place. The Holy Spirit will be there at your side pointing out the pieces and showing you how it all comes together. Who knows? Perhaps it will be in heaven when your last piece is finally placed and the puzzle completed.
Following In His Footsteps: Walking Day by Day with Jesus
