Blog of Scott Dudley
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January 13, 2007 Love & Obey Me - Jesus There's an old Jewish parable about a soap-maker and a Rabbi. They're out on a walk. The soap-maker says to the Rabbi, `Rabbi, what good is religion" What good is God" Look at all the misery in the world, what good does God do"` The Rabbi said, `That is a great question.` But then he didn't answer it. They just kept walking along. They came across some kids who were playing in the dirt. The Rabbi said, `Look at those kids. You're a soap-maker and you say that soap makes people clean, but look how dirty those kids are. What good does soap do"` The soap-maker said, `Well, Rabbi, soap doesn't do any good unless you use it.`

By: Scott Dudley - January 13, 2007 - Public Category: Love & Obey Me - Jesus Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

January 13, 2007 Jewish Parable There's an old Jewish parable about a soap-maker and a Rabbi. They're out on a walk. The soap-maker says to the Rabbi, `Rabbi, what good is religion" What good is God" Look at all the misery in the world, what good does God do"` The Rabbi said, `That is a great question.` But then he didn't answer it. They just kept walking along. They came across some kids who were playing in the dirt. The Rabbi said, `Look at those kids. You're a soap-maker and you say that soap makes people clean, but look how dirty those kids are. What good does soap do"` The soap-maker said, `Well, Rabbi, soap doesn't do any good unless you use it.`

By: Scott Dudley - January 13, 2007 - Public Category: Jesus` Parables Unveiling the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (1) Comments Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

January 13, 2007 The Holy Spirit We cannot be like Jesus on our own; we need his spirit to help us do that. The Greek word that Jesus uses to describe Holy Spirit is Paraclete. Paraclete means to come alongside of someone. A Paraclete was someone who was called into court to help the accused, or someone called into the army to give the troops courage, or called in to give advice in a difficult situation. It means Consultant, Comforter, Strengthener, Trail-guide. The Holy Spirit does all of those things. That means that when I'm tempted to do something I know isn't right, there's a voice that goes off in my head, and it's the Spirit. It says, `Scott, I know you think you want this thing, but deep, deep down I know you want more. I know you want an abundant life; I know you want eternal life. I know you want to avoid this sin.` Notice what the Holy Spirit does not say to me. The Holy Spirit does not say, "You rotten little creep, you should feel ashamed being tempted like that." That's Red Legs talking. The Spirit says, "Scott, deep down I know you want more than this, so don't settle for this temptation." That's the Holy Spirit helping me to live the abundant life. Now, as I've said before, the Holy Spirit doesn't overpower us or force us to follow Jesus' teachings. He just nudges us. And our job is to cooperate with those nudges.

By: Scott Dudley - January 13, 2007 - Public Category: God's Spirit Present With You (2) Comments Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

January 13, 2007 Love & Obey God - Jesus There are three things that can help us put Jesus' teachings into practice so that we can have that abundant life. The Holy Spirit. Ordinary daily events of life. Purposeful disciplines that train a new heart. You need all three. They are three sides of the same triangle, and they work together.

By: Scott Dudley - January 13, 2007 - Public Category: Love & Obey God - Jesus Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

January 13, 2007 Matthew`s Biography of Jesus - The Wise and Foolish Builders Jesus says, if we hear what he says but don't do it, Jesus says that's like building a house on sand: the winds and the rain are going to knock it down. It's the same in our lives: if we don't put Jesus' words into action our lives come crashing down around us, just like my computer. We end up with stress and worry, driven crazy with lust, plagued with anger, broken relationships, a sense that life isn't about anything other than getting up, going to work, going to bed, and doing it all over and over again. But Jesus says there's a way out of that trap, and it's simple: so simple Nike even uses it as their slogan. Just Do It. That's how Jesus ends his Sermon on the Mount: "You've heard me. Now go do it." And if we do, Jesus says we'll be like a house that's built on a rock. We will be able to withstand anything that life throws at us if we will just do what he says to do.

By: Scott Dudley - January 13, 2007 - Public Category: The Wise and Foolish Builders (1) Comments Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

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