Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: September 2012

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Zookeeper

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On September 13, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics enlists “Zookeepers” to be a profession and the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is an non-profit volunteer association that is made up of professions that are dedicated to animal care and conservation. But would we be able to view Jesus as a Zookeeper?

In the Genesis account of creation, it is recorded that God created the living creatures (non-human: beasts, cattle and creepy things) on the same day as he created man and saw that it was all good (Genesis 1:24-27). God then established a vegetarian diet for man (Genesis 1:29) and for the other non-human living creatures (Genesis 1:30) as well. This when extrapolated implies that God cared for the animals he created. It was man’s sin that required God to have to sacrifice from his creation of living animals, to hide the shame of man, when God clothed man and his woman with coats of skin (Genesis 3:21). It was also man’s continued sin that brought about condemnation of all living things and a flood as God’s judgment against man, but after the flood during the time of Noah, God’s covenant to never again destroy extended beyond man to animals (living creatures) as well (Genesis 8:21). Only after the flood was man, given the right to also include animals in his diet (Genesis 9:3-4) but in the book of wisdom and poetry, it is written that the righteous man regards the life of his beasts (Proverbs 12:10). How much more then, the only Righteous True God (Jesus is called the RIGHTEOUS BRANCH – Jeremiah 23:5; Romans 5:18), Jesus The Zookeeper, would care for his animals?

Points to ponder:
Interestingly, the book of Jonah, ends with a question, and includes cattle (animals) alongside humans, extending the grace and mercy (care) of God to animals as well. Here God questions – “Should I not spare Nineveh, which has hundred and twenty thousand people and much cattle?” Jesus The Zookeeper cares for all of his creation, including the animals that he created. How much more then would he be caring for you and me? Are you under the care of Jesus, The Zookeeper? 

Jonah 4:11 (KJV)
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Genesis 8:20-21 (KJV)
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Youth Worker

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On September 12, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

A humorous picture that circulates on the Internet is the picture of a young man sitting on a bench next to a figure symbolizing Jesus and the caption below which reads “No, I am not talking about Twitter. I literally want you to FOLLOW me – Jesus.” A major demographic of our population today are young children and teens that primarily constitute the ‘youth’ category in our generation. And in the absence of positive influences in their life, these youth can be easily swayed into habits and activities (e.g, gangs, sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.) that can destroy their lives. A youth worker specializes in working with children, pre-teens and teens, interacting and counseling them often, and functioning as an older brother or sister or friend/mentor, guiding the youth in the way they should go.

Jesus is the ultimate Youth Worker. The Bible in Luke 2:41-51 gives us a glimpse of Jesus as an youth and what we can learn from that account is that Jesus was all about doing the will and work of God (about God the Father’s business). He was so engrossed as a youth working for God the Father, that he tarried behind in Jerusalem, while his family traveled a day’s journey without realizing that he was not with them. But the account does not end there, after his parents found him, the Bible states that he went back with them and was subject (obedient) to them.

Points to ponder:
The Bible says remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1) and like Jesus be obedient unto God (being about His business) and be ye obedient to your parents. Follow (@jesuschrist) in the example of Jesus The Youth Worker. 

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV)
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The X-Ray Technician

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On September 11, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

A one-liner that is used in Church humor which is profound is “Jesus is a like an X-ray technician; He can see right through you.” John 2:24-25 establishes the fact that Jesus did not need anyone to bear witness to him about man, because he knew what was in man. There is nothing that can be hidden from Him. Before we were formed, by God, in our mother’s womb, Jesus knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). He is great and mighty in power, and his understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5).

Points to ponder:
No one can hide from Jesus and nothing can be hidden from him. Jesus can see inside you and he knows what is in you/me. If he looks inside you/me today, what would Jesus The X-Ray technician find?

John 2:24-25 (KJV)
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Ventriloquist

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On September 10, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

A ventriloquist projects his or her voice in such a way that the sound seems to come from someone else. In this regard, would we be able to consider Jesus to be an Ventriloquist? Jesus said, that the words he speaks are not his own, but of God the Father who sent him (John 12:49-50). These words (commands) leads to eternal life.

Points to ponder:
The words of God the Father which leads to eternal life was spoken by Jesus The Ventriloquist. Can we also speaks the words that lead to eternal life (the gospel of Jesus Christ) just like Jesus The Ventriloquist. 

John 12:49 (KJV)
49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Underwriter

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On September 7, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Underwriter” as a “Guarantor” and in the field of insurance, someone who writes a policy of insurance. In this regard, would we be able to consider Jesus to be an underwriter?

The Bible says that when it comes to eternal life, all those who believe in Jesus Christ are assured of eternal life. God’s policy of insurance that we will inherit his kingdom is not on any one’s merit but solely on the work of Jesus Christ, who has written the names of all who believe in his book of life (Revelation 21:27) and inscribed our names in the palm of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). Jesus is the Guarantor of our Salvation, by whose blood signature, we have forgiveness of our sins and redemption (Colossians 1:14).

Points to ponder:
Is your name written in the Lamb’s (Jesus’) book of life? Is your name inscribed in the palm of his hands? In other words, have you believed in Jesus The Underwriter.

Isaiah 49:16 (KJV)
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Revelation 20:15 (KJV)
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Teacher

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On September 6, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

A teacher is one who instructs and imparts knowledge. It is said that “Experience” is a good teacher and there is no doubt about that, but would we be able to consider Jesus to be a Teacher?

The Bible answers this question. In fact, Jesus was called a “Teacher from God” by Nicodemus, who was himself a ruler of the Jews and master (teacher) of Israel, for Nicodemus recognized that what Jesus taught was not of any man, but of God (John 3:2). The Bible tells us that God (Jesus) will instruct us in the ways that we should go (Psalm 32:8) and Jesus’ disciple, Simon Peter recognized that Jesus held the words of eternal life (John 6:68). In other words, Jesus is the only one who can impart the True knowledge of eternal life (Salvation), which is to know God the Father, the only true God and Jesus, the Teacher whom God had sent (John 17:3). And when you shall know this truth (taught by Jesus through his word), This Truth shall make you free of any bondage, that keeps you from eternal life.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is The Teacher from God who teaches us the way of eternal life. Are you/I as students willing to listen and learn from Jesus The Teacher? Where else can we go? (nowhere) for it is Only Jesus who holds the words of eternal life.

John 3:1-2 (KJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

John 6:68-69 (KJV)
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 17:3  (KJV)
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Sentry

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On September 5, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Sentry” as a “guard”, especially a soldier who stands guard at a point of passage. With this definition in mind, would we be able to consider Jesus to be a Sentry?

The Bible says that not only does the Battle belong to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47), but that safety (victory) is of him as well (Proverbs 21:31) and Jesus is the guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). In other words, Jesus is the Sentry of our Souls and he keeps guard of us against the evil one, because he is faithful (2 Thessalonians 3:3) and what is more is that Jesus establishes those whom he guards (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Points to ponder:
Are you guarded by Jesus The Sentry? When he guards you, safety (victory) is assured, for the battle belongs to him!

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV)
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Scout

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On September 4, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

The Boys Scout of America highlights that to be a Scout is to be in a profession with a purpose. But what does the word “Scout” mean and would we be able to consider Jesus as a Scout? Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Scout” as “to find by making a search”.

Jesus likened himself to be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) who would go in search of the one lost sheep and not return until he has found it. In this regard, Jesus is The Scout, whose purpose is to find those who are lost without God. Jesus is The Scout with a purpose.

Points to ponder:
If you are lost without God, take solace, for Jesus The Scout is searching for you and wishes to find you. Hide not from him, but be ye found by Him!

Luke 15:4 (KJV)
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

John 10:11 (KJV)
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Labor that stands the test of fire

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On September 3, 2012

In Christian, Labor Day

Labor day is an American holiday that is celebrated on the first Monday in September annually. This labor day, as we rest from work, let us not fail to recognize that the work we do should be one that will not fail the test of fire when we finally stand before God and are judged out of the things which are written in the books, according to our works (1 Corinthians 3:15; Revelation 20:12). What does it mean that our labor (work) does not fail the test of fire?

The Ramayana tells the story of how Sita underwent a test of fire and agreed to be burned to prove her innocence (chastity) to her husband Rama, who suspected her of infidelity. No human is innocent and all have sinned and hence guilty (Romans 3:23). The only one who is imputed righteousness and declared innocent before God is the one who has believed in his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 4:24). And when one believes, the Spirit of God comes into their life to reign and when the Spirit of God is within a person, that person ought to Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and not do the works of the flesh which is contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Those who do the works of the flesh, which is made manifest in adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like shall  not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 19-21). In other words, these works will burn in the test of fire, but those who Walk in the Spirt, doing the Works of the Spirit to bear the fruit of the Spirit will have their labor stand the test of fire.

Points to ponder:
So if we want to have our labor stand the test of fire, let us Walk in the Spirit and let the Spirit of God work in us, for us and through us. Will your works stand the test of fire on judgment day?

1 Corinthians 3:13-17 (KJV)
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Revelation 20:12 (KJV)
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

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