Sliced Bread

Most of us have heard the saying,“That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

 

Earlier this week I had an idea about how I wanted this post to go.  My answer was simple and straight forward:  Jesus is the best thing ever, not just since sliced bread!  I thought the words to "If Heaven Never was Promised to Me" or "Jesus is the Best Thing" would fit nicely.  But I just couldn't seem to get the post written.

I headed out for a run this morning.  It rained most of yesterday, so the air was fresh, about 37 degrees, no wind.  Just like I like it!  I turned on my music and about the fifth song was a new one by Jordan Feliz - "Jesus is Coming Back."  If you haven't heard it yet, go find it on your favorite music site, it's awesome!  I listened to it on repeat this morning and knew that was the answer - having Jesus in my life is wonderful, but when He comes back, that is going to be the best!

Jesus said in Luke 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."  In that chapter, Jesus answered the questions, "Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"

 

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19, " If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."  I love the second line of the first verse of this song, "Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay."  It's going to be okay!  My hope isn't in Washington, D.C. It doesn't scare me, it's temporary!  No executive order is going to change the day that is appointed.

 

Jesus Is Coming Back

 

We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back

 

Have you ever thought that the world has kinda lost its way?
Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay, oh, yeah
It doesn't scare me, it's temporary
There's something better, we got forever
And it won't be long, 'cause we know our help is on the way, the way

 

So, keep your head up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No don't you give up, hey
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know (yeah, we know)
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

 

Gotta stay awake 'cause nobody knows the day or time, no
The trumpet's gonna blow, and the skies are gonna open wide, oh, yeah
He's coming for us, just like He told us
It's been a long wait, but there's a new day
And we're gonna sing hallelujah when the King arrives

 

Oh, you know you gotta keep your head up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No, don't you give up, no, no
'Cause Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

 

Are you ready?   

Are you ready?
People get ready  

People get ready
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
People get ready
People get ready
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
People get ready
Yeah, let's get ready

 

Oh, He's coming back
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No don't you give up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know (yeah, we know)
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

Now isn't that so much greater than sliced bread?

Break Every Chain

We had an incredible service last night at Victory Tabernacle!  It started in choir practice.  We learned a new song and the choir came ready.  We were expecting a move of God.  I had to ask myself, "Why don't I come expecting God to move in every service??"

The song was so simple, but so powerful.  There is power in the name of Jesus.  I can't think of words that are more powerful than that!  We added cardboard testimonies to the song and the combination was dynamic!  I think we sang for about 45 minutes (I have the sore throat to prove it!) as the power of God swept into the house and chains were broken!  I have no idea how many chains came off last night, but I know there were many.  And ten year old, Kay, received the Holy Ghost for the first time!

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up

To Break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling

Sunday Houses

In rural Texas, during the mid to late 1800s, farmers would build a small home in town called a Sunday House.  They would live on their farms during the week, then come to town on Saturday to do their shopping.  They would spend the night in their Sunday House so they could attend church the following day before returning to their farms for another week.  Often the towns provided farmers with a small plot of land so they could build their Sunday House.

We often talk about making room for Jesus at Christmas time.  There was no room for him in the inn.  But these people made room - they made houses!  The focus of the house was Sunday.  They made sure their farms were taken care of during the week, their shopping was done on Saturday, so Sunday could truly be a day for Him.

It's not uncommon to see multiple soccer games being played on Sunday morning in fields around Los Angeles.  Many marathons are scheduled for Sundays.  Grocery stores are packed on Sundays.  Our modern society has filled Sundays with everything but making room for Jesus. 

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  Hebrews 10:25

 We may not have actual buildings, but we can have a Sunday House in our heart!

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

November 10th ~ Can't (Won't) Live Without (Thanks a Day)

Today, the One I'm most thankful for, the One I can't or won't live without is Jesus.  He said he would never leave or forsake me and He's kept His Word.  He's always been true.

Can't Live a Day
I could live life alone
And never fill the longings of my heart
The healing warmth of someone's arms
And I could live without dreams
And never know the thrill of what could be
With every star so far and out of reach
I could live without many things
And I could carry on, but...

CHORUS
I couldn't face my life tomorrow
Without Your hope in my heart I know
I can't live a day without You
Lord, there's no night and there's no morning
Without Your loving arms to hold me
You're the heartbeat of all I do
I can't live a day without You

I could travel the world
See all the wonders beautiful and new
They'd only make me think of You
And I could have all life offers
Riches that were far beyond compare
To grant my every wish without a care
Oh, I could do anything, oh yes
But if You weren't in it all...

Oh, Jesus, I live because You live
You're like the air I breathe
Oh, Jesus, I have because You give
You're everything to me

Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center

I saw an unusual truck on my way to church last night:

This was not a single trucker doing his thing, but one of a fleet of trucks. With a little Googling, I was able to find Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center. Founder, Sam Kohli, says, "Hollywood has portrayed a different image, an image that portrays Jesus Christ as trash as a bad word.... Some customers said they didn't want their goods transported in trailers with this message. So, they're not customers anymore," Sam stated emphatically. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." There are 115 trailers and some 60 truck/tractors (a few are owner-operated), bedecked with the phrase "Jesus Christ Is Lord, not a swear word."

I love this! As a person who does not care for swearing of any kind, the use of Jesus Christ as a swear word is the one I find the most offensive. How dare you take my Lord's name in vain! The name that brings comfort and peace. The name I call in times of distress and sorrow. The name that brings salvation ("Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" Acts 4:12)

There will come a day, when even Hollywood will know the power of the name! "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11

I thought of so many songs that sing His name, but this one is a favorite!

THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There’s just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away.
But there’s something about that name.

The next time His name is on your lips, make sure it's said with praise and reverence!

Where's The Line to See Jesus?

I heard this song for the first time yesterday. All I can say is WOW! What a beautiful message.

A little background:

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes.

... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him.
- Becky Keller, singer

Click on the title to hear the song and read more:

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

Christmas time was approaching
Snow was starting to fall
Shoppers choosing their presents
People filling the mall

Children waiting for Santa
With excitement and glee
A little boy tugged my sweater
Looked up and asked me

Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday
Why don't we see Him more?

As I stood in amazement
At this message profound
I looked down to thank him
He was no where around

The little boy at the mall
Might as well have had wings
As the tears filled my eyes
Thought I heard him sing

Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday
Why don't we see Him more?

Where's the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me
Santa Claus brought me presents
But Christ gave His life for me

In the blink of an eye
At the sound of His trump
We'll all stand in line at His throne
Every knee shall bow down
Every tongue will confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord

Where's the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday
Why don't we see Him more?

Where's the line?
Where's the line?
Where's the line for the Lord?