God created us for relationships. Something inside each of us desires a connection with others. True friendships in life will multiply our joys and divide our sorrows. Friends are people who will see us through the most difficult problems. Friendship is the cement that will hold the worth together. There are some friends in life are closer than blood family. A friend is someone who loves at all times. Our text says that there is a friend.... It is not a question or a supposition. It is a statement: There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is there. We do not need to wonder if He is there, He accepts and affirms us. There is a story in Mark 2 about four men who took their friend to see Jesus. We do not know much about the man other than he was unable to move because of a palsy. We do not know if he was born with it, or it came on him. All we know is that he was that he was paralyzed and that he had one thing going for him: his friends. When we are paralyzed by the effects of life, we all need friends who can pick us up when we are down. We all need friends like this man had. These men didn't know how to help him, but they knew where to take him. They were concerned about him and his condition and saw more for himself than even he did. They picked him up and took him into the presence of the Lord. This story illustrates four friends we all need in life. We all need a friend called encouragement. We all need a friend called determination. We all need a friend called hope. We all need a friend called forgiveness. The paralytic in our story had friends. But more than that, his friends took him into the presence of the greatest friend ever. Jesus is a friend who does not condemn. Jesus is a friend who will encourage. Jesus is a friend who will see beyond our faults and address our needs. There is a friend who will stick closer than a brother and His name is Jesus!

God created us for relationships. Something inside each of us desires a connection with others. True friendships in life will multiply our joys and divide our sorrows. Friends are people who will see us through the most difficult problems. Friendship is the cement that will hold the worth together. There are some friends in life are closer than blood family. A friend is someone who loves at all times. Our text says that there is a friend.... It is not a question or a supposition. It is a statement: There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is there. We do not need to wonder if He is there, He accepts and affirms us. There is a story in Mark 2 about four men who took their friend to see Jesus. We do not know much about the man other than he was unable to move because of a palsy. We do not know if he was born with it, or it came on him. All we know is that he was that he was paralyzed and that he had one thing going for him: his friends. When we are paralyzed by the effects of life, we all need friends who can pick us up when we are down. We all need friends like this man had. These men didn't know how to help him, but they knew where to take him. They were concerned about him and his condition and saw more for himself than even he did. They picked him up and took him into the presence of the Lord. This story illustrates four friends we all need in life. We all need a friend called encouragement. We all need a friend called determination. We all need a friend called hope. We all need a friend called forgiveness. The paralytic in our story had friends. But more than that, his friends took him into the presence of the greatest friend ever. Jesus is a friend who does not condemn. Jesus is a friend who will encourage. Jesus is a friend who will see beyond our faults and address our needs. There is a friend who will stick closer than a brother and His name is Jesus!

Dr. James Hughes: Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Dr. James Hughes: Wednesday Evening Bible Study

We can find strength when we see others who have faced great adversity and survived. It is inspiring to know that if others can make it, so can we. In the life of Jesus, we see that He faced many challenging and threatening situations. The way He faced these situations are an inspiration to us. Jesus begins John chapter 14 by saying "Let not your heart be troubled." Knowing what he was to face, to open with these words are a statement of great courage. The last two verses in this chapter is particularly inspiring. Jesus was eating the Passover supper and Judas was already on his way to betray Him. Knowing all this, there is nothing in Jesus' remarks that show distress or fainting before the challenge before Him. After saying all He had to say, He confidently says "Arise, let us go." Jesus chose to arise and go to what was facing Him rather than waiting for it to come to Him. In the upper room, Jesus was in a comfortable setting surrounded by disciples who loved Him. Most of us would have stayed in that safe environment. But Jesus did not stay there because His purpose was not in an upper room; His purpose was on the cross. There are times in life when we have to get up and face whatever it is out there and move on. We have to move from our safe comfortable environment, and face the challenge before us. Our text says not only did He get up, it shows that Jesus was not afraid to face His future. Jesus knew that the next few days would not be the end. It was simply a transition to the future. He was willing to accept what is rather than revel in what was. Jesus rose to face the future because He knew that He would eventually be triumphant over death and sin. In this text we see Jesus moving forward. He was not running from His problems, but accepting what was and facing it head on. Too many people are not facing what is. The want to go back to what was, but life does not work that way. Jesus was not afraid of what is. He knew that He would never know the victory of resurrection until He felt the shame of the cross and the bitter taste of death. Sometimes in life we have to taste the bitter, before we taste the better. Jesus did not hesitate or waver. He wasn't panicking. He simply got up to face what was before Him. Jesus refused to turn back. We cannot turn back either. There are two things in our text that show us why Jesus did what He did. First he faced death and the cross for love. Not the mushy, self centered love that our world defines, but for the self-less love of others. He got up not because his flesh wanted to, but because you and I needed Him to. His love for us motivated Him to go out the door. Secondly, He did it for the sake of duty. Sense of duty is increasing a strange concept to the world. A duty is something that we do because we are supposed to.; it is the right thing to do. Jesus said "God told me to, and I will do it." There are things we must do for God not because we want to, but because He told us to. There is no self interest in what Jesus did. Jesus died for us because it needed to be done and no one else could do it. Sometimes God gives reasons for what He requires of us, but sometimes the only reason is "because I said so." How the world would be so different if people would do things because it is their duty. We do not have the option to not love people. We have a duty to show the love of God wherever we go. This is not based on our feelings or emotions. God said to love one another. Those are words to live by.

We can find strength when we see others who have faced great adversity and survived. It is inspiring to know that if others can make it, so can we. In the life of Jesus, we see that He faced many challenging and threatening situations. The way He faced these situations are an inspiration to us. Jesus begins John chapter 14 by saying "Let not your heart be troubled." Knowing what he was to face, to open with these words are a statement of great courage. The last two verses in this chapter is particularly inspiring. Jesus was eating the Passover supper and Judas was already on his way to betray Him. Knowing all this, there is nothing in Jesus' remarks that show distress or fainting before the challenge before Him. After saying all He had to say, He confidently says "Arise, let us go." Jesus chose to arise and go to what was facing Him rather than waiting for it to come to Him. In the upper room, Jesus was in a comfortable setting surrounded by disciples who loved Him. Most of us would have stayed in that safe environment. But Jesus did not stay there because His purpose was not in an upper room; His purpose was on the cross. There are times in life when we have to get up and face whatever it is out there and move on. We have to move from our safe comfortable environment, and face the challenge before us. Our text says not only did He get up, it shows that Jesus was not afraid to face His future. Jesus knew that the next few days would not be the end. It was simply a transition to the future. He was willing to accept what is rather than revel in what was. Jesus rose to face the future because He knew that He would eventually be triumphant over death and sin. In this text we see Jesus moving forward. He was not running from His problems, but accepting what was and facing it head on. Too many people are not facing what is. The want to go back to what was, but life does not work that way. Jesus was not afraid of what is. He knew that He would never know the victory of resurrection until He felt the shame of the cross and the bitter taste of death. Sometimes in life we have to taste the bitter, before we taste the better. Jesus did not hesitate or waver. He wasn't panicking. He simply got up to face what was before Him. Jesus refused to turn back. We cannot turn back either. There are two things in our text that show us why Jesus did what He did. First he faced death and the cross for love. Not the mushy, self centered love that our world defines, but for the self-less love of others. He got up not because his flesh wanted to, but because you and I needed Him to. His love for us motivated Him to go out the door. Secondly, He did it for the sake of duty. Sense of duty is increasing a strange concept to the world. A duty is something that we do because we are supposed to.; it is the right thing to do. Jesus said "God told me to, and I will do it." There are things we must do for God not because we want to, but because He told us to. There is no self interest in what Jesus did. Jesus died for us because it needed to be done and no one else could do it. Sometimes God gives reasons for what He requires of us, but sometimes the only reason is "because I said so." How the world would be so different if people would do things because it is their duty. We do not have the option to not love people. We have a duty to show the love of God wherever we go. This is not based on our feelings or emotions. God said to love one another. Those are words to live by.

A recent research study concluded that 70% of Americans have no living hero. Other research conducted some time ago ask middle school students to identify who they aspired to be like. Most of them mentioned celebrities or athletes. There were no doctor's, astronauts, lawyers, archtiects or other professions. All the top answers were actors or entertainers or athletes. These students looked up to stars, not heros. In a world that looks to celebrity not heros, Bro. Hughes uses Hebrews 11 to help identify true heros in our society. Comic books and movies have set the stage that a hero has to have super powers and wear a cape. Do we need a cape to be a hero? The fact is that there are real heros among us daily. Police, Fire, EMS and military personnel do things every day that are worthy of honor. A real hero is one who sacrifices in a selfless effort help others. Real heros help others and expects nothing in return. A real hero is one who is brave and courageous when others would shrink away. James Bonham was a figure from Texas history that few know. He was in the Alamo when it was under siege. James left the Alamo and slipped through enemy lines to go for help. Help was denied. James Bonham traveled the 95 miles though the enemy lines to return to the Alamo to fight with the other men. None of them survived. He could have easily stayed in Goliad, but he chose to go back and fight with the men who remained in the doomed Alamo. The sound of the horse hoof-beats returning to the Alamo call to each of us to put aside our desires for the greater cause of good. Daily men and women put on uniforms to go to a job to provide service to our community not knowing what the day will hold. They go to these jobs with the knowledge that they may not come home that night. These men and women are real life heros. Heros are people who show up no matter what. What does a real hero look like? The bible has many examples. In Hebrews 11 we find a condensed list of them. Each person listed simply wanted to make a difference in life. They were consistently loyal to their service to God. Though some of them failed, they did not allow their failure to become an excuse. They lost possessions, had to leave their families, suffered setbacks, but each pressed on in the service to God. The qualities that make real heros are not their looks, their voice, their costume or a catchy name. Real heros are made by meekness, courage, mercy, boldness, sacrifice and loyalty. We need to redefine what it is to be a hero. We must shake off the world's definition and embrace God's definition. We celebrate those who really make a difference in our community. A hero is one who is seeks after God even in the face of worldy opposition. That is a real life hero.

A recent research study concluded that 70% of Americans have no living hero. Other research conducted some time ago ask middle school students to identify who they aspired to be like. Most of them mentioned celebrities or athletes. There were no doctor's, astronauts, lawyers, archtiects or other professions. All the top answers were actors or entertainers or athletes. These students looked up to stars, not heros. In a world that looks to celebrity not heros, Bro. Hughes uses Hebrews 11 to help identify true heros in our society. Comic books and movies have set the stage that a hero has to have super powers and wear a cape. Do we need a cape to be a hero? The fact is that there are real heros among us daily. Police, Fire, EMS and military personnel do things every day that are worthy of honor. A real hero is one who sacrifices in a selfless effort help others. Real heros help others and expects nothing in return. A real hero is one who is brave and courageous when others would shrink away. James Bonham was a figure from Texas history that few know. He was in the Alamo when it was under siege. James left the Alamo and slipped through enemy lines to go for help. Help was denied. James Bonham traveled the 95 miles though the enemy lines to return to the Alamo to fight with the other men. None of them survived. He could have easily stayed in Goliad, but he chose to go back and fight with the men who remained in the doomed Alamo. The sound of the horse hoof-beats returning to the Alamo call to each of us to put aside our desires for the greater cause of good. Daily men and women put on uniforms to go to a job to provide service to our community not knowing what the day will hold. They go to these jobs with the knowledge that they may not come home that night. These men and women are real life heros. Heros are people who show up no matter what. What does a real hero look like? The bible has many examples. In Hebrews 11 we find a condensed list of them. Each person listed simply wanted to make a difference in life. They were consistently loyal to their service to God. Though some of them failed, they did not allow their failure to become an excuse. They lost possessions, had to leave their families, suffered setbacks, but each pressed on in the service to God. The qualities that make real heros are not their looks, their voice, their costume or a catchy name. Real heros are made by meekness, courage, mercy, boldness, sacrifice and loyalty. We need to redefine what it is to be a hero. We must shake off the world's definition and embrace God's definition. We celebrate those who really make a difference in our community. A hero is one who is seeks after God even in the face of worldy opposition. That is a real life hero.

Education is a key to success in life. The older we get, the wiser we realize our teachers were. All of us can recall a teacher that influenced our lives in a dramatic way. The most effective ingredient in any child's education is the teacher. A great teacher is one that understands that the heart of a child is as important as the mind. If we cannot reach our children's heart, we cannot reach the child. Teaching is the process to inspire and encourage the student to find potential. There is a transformative power of a teacher that can pull out of a child more than they even knew was inside. Jesus was called teacher. Of all the "students" that Jesus encountered, perhaps the most challenging was Simon Peter. He was crude, rough and outspoken. Peter was one that would cause most teachers to shy away. Jesus however saw something below the rough, crude exterior to pull out of Peter what was inside him. Our text was the beginning of a journey. It was not an overnight success; nothing is. The Lord never stopped trying. It would have been easy many times to abandon the cause and move on to someone else. However, it takes time to see the true worth of the effort. Over time Peter transformed from a foul mouthed, brash and abrasive man into someone who was at the forefront of the Church. Jesus never gave up. There were many challenges in this teaching. The first was Peter's personality. He would say the wrong thing, at the wrong time. He blundered into many things in life. He was quick tempered. But the Lord understands personalities. None of us can let personality be the reason that we give up. The second thing Jesus had to deal with was Simon's lineage. He was the son of Jonas. Peter had a history, but Jesus did not let that determine the future. Our past and family background does not matter to God, He wants to bring us into HIS family and make use one of HIS children. The good news is that no matter our family background there is a teacher that can use us in HIs purpose. Finally Jesus had to deal with Peter's environment. We may have come from a background that has everything written against us, but if He is for us, what can be against us?

Peter was a man who had many things against him, but Jesus prophesies great things for him. There were times that Peter fell flat on his face, but the Lord came along side and continued the education. The promise of "when you are converted" told Peter that Jesus never gave up. No matter what the situation is now, Peter you WILL be converted. The promise to Peter is the same to us. Jesus will never walk away from our education.

Education is a key to success in life. The older we get, the wiser we realize our teachers were. All of us can recall a teacher that influenced our lives in a dramatic way. The most effective ingredient in any child's education is the teacher. A great teacher is one that understands that the heart of a child is as important as the mind. If we cannot reach our children's heart, we cannot reach the child. Teaching is the process to inspire and encourage the student to find potential. There is a transformative power of a teacher that can pull out of a child more than they even knew was inside. Jesus was called teacher. Of all the "students" that Jesus encountered, perhaps the most challenging was Simon Peter. He was crude, rough and outspoken. Peter was one that would cause most teachers to shy away. Jesus however saw something below the rough, crude exterior to pull out of Peter what was inside him. Our text was the beginning of a journey. It was not an overnight success; nothing is. The Lord never stopped trying. It would have been easy many times to abandon the cause and move on to someone else. However, it takes time to see the true worth of the effort. Over time Peter transformed from a foul mouthed, brash and abrasive man into someone who was at the forefront of the Church. Jesus never gave up. There were many challenges in this teaching. The first was Peter's personality. He would say the wrong thing, at the wrong time. He blundered into many things in life. He was quick tempered. But the Lord understands personalities. None of us can let personality be the reason that we give up. The second thing Jesus had to deal with was Simon's lineage. He was the son of Jonas. Peter had a history, but Jesus did not let that determine the future. Our past and family background does not matter to God, He wants to bring us into HIS family and make use one of HIS children. The good news is that no matter our family background there is a teacher that can use us in HIs purpose. Finally Jesus had to deal with Peter's environment. We may have come from a background that has everything written against us, but if He is for us, what can be against us?

Peter was a man who had many things against him, but Jesus prophesies great things for him. There were times that Peter fell flat on his face, but the Lord came along side and continued the education. The promise of "when you are converted" told Peter that Jesus never gave up. No matter what the situation is now, Peter you WILL be converted. The promise to Peter is the same to us. Jesus will never walk away from our education.