Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Most Historic Prediction


Every once in a while a person makes a prediction that comes true. When this happens, the moment becomes an event that is never forgotten.

After brashly guaranteeing a New York Jets victory over the Baltimore Colts, prior to Super Bowl III, Jets quarterback Joe Namath completed 17 out of 28 passes for 206 yards, and was named the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. The victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Babe Ruth's called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his gesture is ambiguous. Although neither fully confirmed nor refuted, the story goes that Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers during the at-bat. It was supposedly a declaration that he would hit a home run to this part of the park. On the next pitch, Ruth hit a home run to center field. This event is one of the most historic and talked about moments in baseball history.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went to the temple courts in Jerusalem and found the people focused on the wrong priorities. Instead of preparing to celebrate the Passover and remember how God delivered His people out of slavery from Egypt, the people were selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others were sitting at tables exchanging money. John 2:15-22 tells the rest of the story.

It says: “15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken."

When questioned by the Jews, Jesus predicted that His resurrection would be the sign that would prove His authority once and for all. Of all the predictions and prophecies throughout history, no one ever dared to declare they would rise from the grave. If Jesus conquered death, He would prove forever that He is the Messiah, and the Son of God.

And, that is exactly what Jesus did. Three days after dying on the cross for the sins of the world, He rose from the grave. No more questions about His authority!

Now, every Easter, over 2 billion people remember and celebrate this most historic prediction!

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Seeking The Good Of Others


If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you know that one of my favorite hobbies is running. I am constantly updating my status with thoughts of hitting the streets. What’s on my mind? You know it: “Run Ronnie Run”!

On March 5th, 2011 I celebrated my 42nd birthday. One of my birthday traditions is to make sure I go for a run. With about a mile left on my run, a younger man about 24 years of age, passed me on my right hand side.

In my twenties, I attended graduate school at Florida State University and became a good friend with one of the top tri-athletes in the state of Florida. We used to run through the campus together everyday during the week. We had one rule during our run: No one was allowed to pass us! (Note: I think I broke the rule, but he never did.)

As the young man passed me on my 42nd birthday, I had many thoughts race through my head. The first one was, “no one is allowed to pass me”. Then, I reasoned that this rule doesn’t apply to me anymore because I am no longer in my twenties.

The next thought was the scripture 1 Corinthians 10:24. It says, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” How dare this young buck pass me on my birthday? That was so rude…LOL! He was definitely not thinking about this Scripture and my pride as he passed me on the road.

My next thought was: “This is going to hurt”!

Then, I took off and chased him for a half-mile as fast as I could. We ran side by side until I had to turn off the road to take my route home. As I made my turn, he sighed and said, “Thank you sir”.

Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to give instruction and admonition that would lead to the solving of many problems in the congregation. In dealing with the confusion that had crept into the church at Corinth as believers failed to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord, Apostle Paul reminded them that a true disciple of Jesus does not only seek his own good, but the good of others.

The Corinthians had lost sight of God. Their selfishness had blinded them. Apostle Paul taught them that the egocentric life is contrasted with the Christ-centered life. A mature Christian is characterized by giving instead of getting, and building up others instead of tearing them down.

So remember, if you want to be like Jesus, don’t pass an older person while they are running on their birthday, and live to seek the good of others!