The Guilty Thief

 

Lord, Remember Me  
 
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."
 
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you
not even fear God, seeing you are under the same
condemnation?
 
"And we justly, for we receive the due reward of our
deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."
 
Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You
come into your kingdom."
 
And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today
you will be with Me in *Paradise*"
(Luke 23:39-43) *Paradise* a park as in Eden..(a place of future happiness)
 
        Greetings!
 
            People for the most part will take one of two positions when faced with reality of God's power and authority in front of them.  One will see God's authority as a opportunity to achieve selfish ambition, another will be broken as they're aware of their own unrighteousness.  Where the first group fails is the notion God Almighty is obligated to show his mighty hand, simply because one stands, in his arrogance, and demands it. The second group fears God, recognizing God ultimate authority as King of Kings, who isn't obligated to answer or serve, the greatest of men.
 
            We are looking today at backdrop of conversation between the two men crucified next to Jesus.  But as you may be aware already, as these men were dying, they were were privy to the conversations and events below them.  I believe some of what was transpiring  was forming their position and belief which, would shortly determine their eternity.  They didn't have the luxury of time to be scoffers and think tomorrow will be just as today.  God's authority was ruling over them through the hands of justice.  But only one of the criminals believed the mocking inscription over the head of Christ, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
 
            And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there
they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand
and the other on the left.
 
And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know
what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them
sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the
Christ, the chosen of God.
 
 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek,
Latin, and Hebrew:
  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
( Luke 23:33 - 38 )  
        One can see from the two blocks of scriptures, a central accusation that Jesus answered himself in the beginning of his ministry.  As you may recall  Jesus was in the wilderness and the devil came to tempt him three times.  Two of the three temptations were prefaced with: ..."If you are the Son of God"...than thus and such.  If your curious as to what the dialog between Jesus and the devil was, please read (Luke 4: 1-13)  I will tell you something else, God can speak to you much more than I have given you as you ask him to reveal himself through his word!  He is no respecter of persons, but what is important is that we ask and not demand.
 
        So what can we gather from the story of the wise and unwise criminals? One was broken, one was proud.  One acknowledged His Lordship, one demanded He prove it.  Let me ask you, ...Are you a scoffer or a broken believer?  Do you fear God or demand from Him in presumption?  Maybe if we remember He holds eternity in his hand, the Lord Himself will be mindful..... to remember us.
 
        Take a moment, let God speak to you and if need be, empty your cup of presumption and arrogance.  Let the Spirit of God fill you  with brokenness and humility so you may find yourself watered and refreshed in His Kingdom....
 
    for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness, and peace and joy in Holy Ghost....
  ( Romans 14:17 )

    May God strengthen and encourage your heart!
 
    Pete

When the Wait is Long

Recommended reading: Genesis 12-22
Part 1 of a two part series. 

      Does God Remember??

 Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of
thy country, and from thy kindred, from thy father's
house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
 
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will
bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou
shalt be a blessing:
 
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse
him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families
of the earth be blessed.
 
So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him;
and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five
years old when he departed out of Haran.
 
(Genesis 12:1-4)

Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

 

        First before I write anything I would to thank God for his grace that is sufficient.  I want to thank God he cares and loves us.  I would like to acknowledge his hand upon me and my house not by works of righteousness we have done, but only because his imputed righteousness through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son.  Amen!

 

    God wakes me up at night and tears well up - he wants to speak - he wants to remind me - he wants to encourage his people.  God has encouraged me so I want to encourage you.

 

     Doesn't seem when it's a dark and difficult season, the glorious promises of God seem very far away if not unattainable.  Now maybe I'm the only one, but in times like these I have asked God, do you remember me?  Do you remember your promise?

 

    Ok let's take a little quiz, to gauge if you had days where you were tempted to question God's faithfulness.  Ok question number one ....

Have you thought Lord do you remember what you said concerning my husband?

Number 2:  Do you remember what you said concerning my son or daughter?

Number 3:  Lord do you remember what you said concerning having children?  Should I go to number 4?  

Maybe the Lord is reminding you what number 4 is.  The question we are asking regardless of the detail is this: Lord Jesus do you remember me?

 

    Saint of God, I want to encourage you, God does remember!

 

    Again we can glean from God's word.  Let's look into the scriptures into the life of Abraham.  As we read from the scripture above Abraham was a old man when God came to visit him and make the promises of which we are partakers of in the faith.  Reading Genesis chapters 12 - 21 we can gather from the time God first spoke to Abram to when the promise of a child by his own seed was 25 years.  We read Abraham was 75 in chapter 12:4 and 100 in Chapter 21:4 when the promised child Isaac was born. I don't know about you but 25 years is along time to wait!

 

    I can imagine Abram doubted as God continued to try him.  I'm sure Abram had some difficult days as God changed his character as he changed his name.  I can imagine there were some dark days for him as the promise of God tarried.  In fact as we read we see as the days came closer to the promise being fulfilled it became rather humorous so much so he and his wife Sarah laughed out load as the angel of the Lord reminded them of God's promise.

 

    It's very easy to hear from God on the mountain top.  Obeying has goose bump to it.  It's a good feeling for God to speak.  But when he stops and begins to prove you, it gets very difficult and even burdensome.  Hell seems to know or maybe has permission to pound you with doubt, to tempt you to accuse the Lord.  Man I wish I could say my faith held strong every day until I saw God's personal promise to me. It's encouraging to know I or we are not alone having days of doubt. Even Abraham, the father of our faith, had his moments of question.  Let's look...

 

    After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a
saying, 

Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy
exceeding great reward.
 
And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me,
seeing I go childless, and the steward of my
house is the this Eliezer of Damascus?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given
no seen: and, lo, one born in my house is
mine heir.
                                      (Genesis 15:1-3)

   

  And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 

"This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir."

 

    Then he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them."  And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

 

    And then the famous scripture associated with Abram....

   
And he believed the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

                             
                                       ( Genesis 15:4-6 )

    You know as I read this passage of scripture I can sense God's gentleness.  I can sense his patience.  I can sense his long-suffering.  I don't hear in God's response he's cold and calculating.  Maybe over time Abram gained this understanding.  Maybe faith in God's goodness to him was not hard to believe.  Maybe over the years God proved himself worthy of trust and loyalty.  Any case Abram believed God plain and simple.

 

    Has the promise of God tarried for you?  Young people are you waiting for God's choice? Hang in there saints of God, He's got your best interest at heart!  Parents do you have some wayward son's and daughters? Have you presented your grief before the Lord. Don't let go, until he makes you a promise!  Barren young mothers - Has God heard out of your lips the longing of your heart?  Let your heart remain broken until you hear his promise!  The God of wonder to Abraham is the God of wonder to us!  Saints lets put away the tight fist rooted in wounded ness, and instead, open our heart to trust again, the Almighty!

 

    Father do a great thing for me and bless your people. And God guide whoever needs these words to this page and reassure them of your promise. Father I pray that you would bring a break through for them and their house.  Lord I trust to do these things for your name sake.  Lord we want to thank you for goodness and loving kindness to us, your people.  Amen.
 

Be blessed!

 

May God richly bless and strengthen your heart!

 

Pete