John 12:
"[Judas] said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put in it." (v.6) Two things came to mind as I read Judas' reaction to Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume.
First, although most of us would not ever think of ourselves as thieves, most of us are. We certainly wouldn't rob a bank or take money from someone's wallet or take something from a store without paying for it. But we may be on Facebook or other social media on our employer's time or use the employer's (or maybe even our church) office equipment and paper to print personal things. We may "borrow" file folders and paper clips and pens and all sorts of things and never give it a second thought...never asking if we can have personal use of them and never returning them. The biggie here, though, is our tithes and offerings. Not putting God first in the area of our finances is the worst case of thievery.
The second thought I had was about the phrase, "not because he cared about the poor". I was reminded of something Perry said a few weeks ago in his Upgrade series message called Stronger. He said he could understand people disagreeing with him but he just couldn't understand and was hurt by the lies people tell. There are people who deliberately try to hurt him and his family emotionally, even leaving notes in the mailbox for his wife and for his 3 year old daughter.
My thought that related this to this passage was these people say these things, not because they care about the lost, which is Perry's passion, they only care about their agenda. God is doing amazing things through the Bible teaching at NewSpring Church. I don't know why this would make people mean and angry except that they just don't love God.
Mark 12:
"And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box." (v.43) Jesus is after our hearts. If our hearts are fully surrendered to Him we will not worry about not having enough. Like this poor woman we will surrender all we have for the glory of God including our money, our time, our gifts and talents.
When I was in Kenya, I met people living 5 to a house made of sticks and mud and about 10' across. They had no electricity, no running water, dirt floors. The children walked 2 or 3 miles each way to get to school. The mothers walked up to 5 miles to get fresh water and then carried buckets of it back to the house. These are some of the poorest people in the world. But on Sunday, they came to worship Jesus. They gave their small coins in the offering plate. They gave verbal testimony to the goodness of God. They sang and danced and praised God for all that He has done for them. How could I, who have so much, ever begrudge anything God asks me to give or do.
(As a footnote, many of these people have water in their community now because of the generosity of time and resources of the people of NewSpring Church.)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Blessed
I've been thinking lately about what it means to be blessed. In America we mostly think healthy, wealthy, good job, obedient children, loving spouse, beautiful home, nice car. Thing is those things could be a curse as easily as a blessing. They may draw me away from God rather than toward Him.
If I'm blessed when I have all this good stuff going on, what happens if I lose it? Is my contentment, my happiness, my blessedness tied up in my good life or in my relationship with Jesus? What if I get cancer? Or the stock market tumbles...again? What if my child becomes rebellious? Or my spouse leaves? What if an earthquake or hurricane or tsunami or wildfire or tornado destroys my home and all my possessions? What if I'm a victim of unspeakable violence? Or a disastrous accident?
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives several "Blessed are..." the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness, those who are reviled because of their relationship with Jesus. And the result of this blessing? The kingdom of God, comfort, inherit the earth, satisfaction, receive mercy, see God, be called sons of God.
There is a lot more, in the eyes of God, to being blessed than what we usually think about. God is always after our hearts, our complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do that we are living the "good life" even if we don't have all the other stuff. I consider myself blessed beyond my wildest dreams not because I have a lot of stuff, which I don't, but because Jesus pulled me from the pit of destruction and radically changed my life. And now I am seeing Him change the lives of my son and his family. That is the greatest blessing of all!
If I'm blessed when I have all this good stuff going on, what happens if I lose it? Is my contentment, my happiness, my blessedness tied up in my good life or in my relationship with Jesus? What if I get cancer? Or the stock market tumbles...again? What if my child becomes rebellious? Or my spouse leaves? What if an earthquake or hurricane or tsunami or wildfire or tornado destroys my home and all my possessions? What if I'm a victim of unspeakable violence? Or a disastrous accident?
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives several "Blessed are..." the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness, those who are reviled because of their relationship with Jesus. And the result of this blessing? The kingdom of God, comfort, inherit the earth, satisfaction, receive mercy, see God, be called sons of God.
There is a lot more, in the eyes of God, to being blessed than what we usually think about. God is always after our hearts, our complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do that we are living the "good life" even if we don't have all the other stuff. I consider myself blessed beyond my wildest dreams not because I have a lot of stuff, which I don't, but because Jesus pulled me from the pit of destruction and radically changed my life. And now I am seeing Him change the lives of my son and his family. That is the greatest blessing of all!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Day 11 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 11:
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was." (v.5,6) Jesus had a very special relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus so the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was seriously ill but Jesus did not rush to the scene. Not because He didn't love this family but because God - and Jesus - would be glorified by His delay. (v.3,4)
As followers of Jesus we too cry out to Him for help in time of crisis. But what if He delays in coming to our rescue? Often we take it as a sign that Jesus doesn't care. Maybe we think we didn't pray hard enough or maybe we didn't pray "correctly" - maybe we didn't use the right words. Sometimes we get angry at God and think He let us down. We may not understand why we are in crisis mode and "why me?" always seems to be a big question. "Why me" is really immaterial; the "why" for any crisis in the life of a believer is to bring glory to God through the way we respond to the crisis whether we are rescued or not.
Mark 11:
"And those who went before and those who followed after were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (v.9-10) I had always thought hosanna was just another way of saying hallelujah but it is not.
Perry's first message in December as part of the Hope series was Hosanna. He told us that hosanna means save now or please save. So when I ran across hosanna in these verses, I looked up hosanna and hallelujah. Hallelujah means "Praise the Lord!" and guess what...hosanna means "Save now!"
I didn't doubt what Perry said last December; I just remembered what he said and wanted to look it up for myself. It's just amazing to me that, after a lifetime in church, I had never known the difference in these two words. Especially since hosanna is a common Easter services word in music and Scripture reading.
I was reminded as I read those words today that God wants to save now and that being set free from sin through faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest need of every person.
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was." (v.5,6) Jesus had a very special relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus so the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was seriously ill but Jesus did not rush to the scene. Not because He didn't love this family but because God - and Jesus - would be glorified by His delay. (v.3,4)
As followers of Jesus we too cry out to Him for help in time of crisis. But what if He delays in coming to our rescue? Often we take it as a sign that Jesus doesn't care. Maybe we think we didn't pray hard enough or maybe we didn't pray "correctly" - maybe we didn't use the right words. Sometimes we get angry at God and think He let us down. We may not understand why we are in crisis mode and "why me?" always seems to be a big question. "Why me" is really immaterial; the "why" for any crisis in the life of a believer is to bring glory to God through the way we respond to the crisis whether we are rescued or not.
Mark 11:
"And those who went before and those who followed after were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (v.9-10) I had always thought hosanna was just another way of saying hallelujah but it is not.
Perry's first message in December as part of the Hope series was Hosanna. He told us that hosanna means save now or please save. So when I ran across hosanna in these verses, I looked up hosanna and hallelujah. Hallelujah means "Praise the Lord!" and guess what...hosanna means "Save now!"
I didn't doubt what Perry said last December; I just remembered what he said and wanted to look it up for myself. It's just amazing to me that, after a lifetime in church, I had never known the difference in these two words. Especially since hosanna is a common Easter services word in music and Scripture reading.
I was reminded as I read those words today that God wants to save now and that being set free from sin through faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest need of every person.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 10 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 10:
"So the Jews...said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.'" (v.24) "The Jews picked up stones to stone Him. The Jews answered [Jesus], 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.'" (v.31,33)
How blind and deaf these religious leaders were! They were awaiting the Messiah but when He arrived they didn't believe it, wouldn't accept that He was there. But what about us? How blind and deaf are we who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. When Jesus says go there, and we don't. When He says speak to that person, and we walk on by. When He says do this, and we say I need to pray about it.
"...[the shepherd] goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...and they will listen to My voice." (v.4,16) Following the Shepherd and listening to His voice means doing what He says. There are way too many people who listen but never do what He says.
Help me, Lord, not just to be a student of Your word but a woman of action who will glorify You in all that I do by being OBEDIENT to Your voice.
Mark 10:
"And he said to Him, 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.'" (v.20) This is the story of the rich, young ruler who comes eagerly to Jesus asking, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus names some commandments - do not murder, steal, lie, - to which the young man answers in verse 20 - hey, I keep those commandments.
But then Jesus says there is one more things you need to do, "...sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (v.21) Jesus is not down on rich people. Nor does he tell every rich person to sell all he has and give to the poor. Jesus was after this young man's heart and his heart belonged to his wealth.
The first and greatest commandment is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus wanted this young man to love God with all he had, including his wealth, and to love his neighbors - the poor - as much as he loved himself.
What about me? I'm a "good" person but am I ready to give up EVERYTHING for the sake of Jesus Christ if He should ask me to? Do I love those around me who are destined for an eternity in Hell forever separated from God? And not just the nice people in my neighborhood. Jesus hung out with the drunks and prostitutes and those cast out by a religious society. Do I believe that Jesus died for everyone? Even those I think are beyond hope?
"So the Jews...said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.'" (v.24) "The Jews picked up stones to stone Him. The Jews answered [Jesus], 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.'" (v.31,33)
How blind and deaf these religious leaders were! They were awaiting the Messiah but when He arrived they didn't believe it, wouldn't accept that He was there. But what about us? How blind and deaf are we who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. When Jesus says go there, and we don't. When He says speak to that person, and we walk on by. When He says do this, and we say I need to pray about it.
"...[the shepherd] goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...and they will listen to My voice." (v.4,16) Following the Shepherd and listening to His voice means doing what He says. There are way too many people who listen but never do what He says.
Help me, Lord, not just to be a student of Your word but a woman of action who will glorify You in all that I do by being OBEDIENT to Your voice.
Mark 10:
"And he said to Him, 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.'" (v.20) This is the story of the rich, young ruler who comes eagerly to Jesus asking, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus names some commandments - do not murder, steal, lie, - to which the young man answers in verse 20 - hey, I keep those commandments.
But then Jesus says there is one more things you need to do, "...sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (v.21) Jesus is not down on rich people. Nor does he tell every rich person to sell all he has and give to the poor. Jesus was after this young man's heart and his heart belonged to his wealth.
The first and greatest commandment is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus wanted this young man to love God with all he had, including his wealth, and to love his neighbors - the poor - as much as he loved himself.
What about me? I'm a "good" person but am I ready to give up EVERYTHING for the sake of Jesus Christ if He should ask me to? Do I love those around me who are destined for an eternity in Hell forever separated from God? And not just the nice people in my neighborhood. Jesus hung out with the drunks and prostitutes and those cast out by a religious society. Do I believe that Jesus died for everyone? Even those I think are beyond hope?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Worthy of Worship
We all worship something. For some it is their favorite sports team. Perhaps their children or spouse. Perhaps an actor or actress or other TV personality. Perhaps a pastor or other church leader. Perhaps we worship ourselves. But there is only ONE who is worthy of worship.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human for, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Rev. 1:12-16)
"...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying, 'Worthy are You, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.'" (Rev. 4:10-11)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:11-16)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human for, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Rev. 1:12-16)
"...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying, 'Worthy are You, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.'" (Rev. 4:10-11)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:11-16)
Day 9 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 9:
"The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." (v.11) This man's sight was restored after he went to Siloam and washed the mud off his eyes. What if he hadn't gone? I believe he would still be blind.
How many times does Jesus work in our lives but we are not willing to do our part to complete the work? Jesus provides a better job or a raise but we still can't pay our bills because we refuse to live on a budget. We miss out on a life-long marriage because we aren't willing to wait for a person who loves Jesus more than us. A neighbor asks a question that opens the door to talk about Jesus and we miss the opportunity because of fear or uncertainty.
As followers of Jesus we have work to do. If we read our Bibles regularly, we will know what that work is for our personal situation.
Mark 9:
"But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe, help my unbelief!'" (v.22b-24)
There is nothing too hard for Jesus; all things are possible. Most church people would say they believe this but our lives are not characterized by that belief. We worry and wring our hands and have sleepless nights because we don't REALLY believe that Jesus can take care of our situation, which ultimately means take care of us. We worry about our health and our children and our finances as well as politics and wars and natural disasters as if the world is out of control.
At times it may seem so but God is ALWAYS in control...so help our unbelief, Lord!
"The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." (v.11) This man's sight was restored after he went to Siloam and washed the mud off his eyes. What if he hadn't gone? I believe he would still be blind.
How many times does Jesus work in our lives but we are not willing to do our part to complete the work? Jesus provides a better job or a raise but we still can't pay our bills because we refuse to live on a budget. We miss out on a life-long marriage because we aren't willing to wait for a person who loves Jesus more than us. A neighbor asks a question that opens the door to talk about Jesus and we miss the opportunity because of fear or uncertainty.
As followers of Jesus we have work to do. If we read our Bibles regularly, we will know what that work is for our personal situation.
Mark 9:
"But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe, help my unbelief!'" (v.22b-24)
There is nothing too hard for Jesus; all things are possible. Most church people would say they believe this but our lives are not characterized by that belief. We worry and wring our hands and have sleepless nights because we don't REALLY believe that Jesus can take care of our situation, which ultimately means take care of us. We worry about our health and our children and our finances as well as politics and wars and natural disasters as if the world is out of control.
At times it may seem so but God is ALWAYS in control...so help our unbelief, Lord!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 8 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 8:
"So they said to [Jesus], 'Who are you?'" (v.25) That is the million dollar question, isn't it?
Jesus had just said, "I am the light of the world." (v.12) "...it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me." (v.16) "...the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me." (v.18) "...if you knew Me, you would know my Father also." (v.19) "...I am from above...I am not of this world." (v.23) "...unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins." (v.24)
All of this was said to biblical scholars, the religious elite, the keepers of the Law. Israel had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a long time. Maybe their hearts were so hard because there had been no prophets for 400 years. They read what God said but did not hear it with their hearts nor believe what their eyes were seeing: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." (Luke 7:22)
This is no different than today with a world that is perishing. Unfortunately many of those perishing are actively attending a church, relying on their traditions but not really being able to answer "Who are you, Jesus?" Ask for a salvation story and it is amazing how many church people will talk about joining the church or going on a youth retreat and never mention the name of Jesus, never even allude to I was a sinner in need of a Savior.
Mark 8:
"Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man." (v. 33) That's pretty strong language for Jesus to use toward one of His chosen twelve. But Peter had rebuked Jesus after Jesus said He was going to suffer many things and be killed. I think He still uses that strong language to us when we try to thwart a work of God.
Often we want to fix people's problems or pray for God to fix them. We never want to suffer or have friends that suffer but maybe God is not ready to fix the problem. Maybe the person needs to wrestle with God over the issue. Maybe there is sin that can not be dealt with without this problem. Maybe it is a godly person that God wants to move to the next level and this struggle is necessary for that to happen.
We don't always understand why stuff happens to us or to those we care about but trying to stop the "happening" could be in direct opposition to what God wants to accomplish. Before we jump in with both feet, we should seek God's counsel on how to, or even if we should, help the person.
"So they said to [Jesus], 'Who are you?'" (v.25) That is the million dollar question, isn't it?
Jesus had just said, "I am the light of the world." (v.12) "...it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me." (v.16) "...the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me." (v.18) "...if you knew Me, you would know my Father also." (v.19) "...I am from above...I am not of this world." (v.23) "...unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins." (v.24)
All of this was said to biblical scholars, the religious elite, the keepers of the Law. Israel had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a long time. Maybe their hearts were so hard because there had been no prophets for 400 years. They read what God said but did not hear it with their hearts nor believe what their eyes were seeing: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." (Luke 7:22)
This is no different than today with a world that is perishing. Unfortunately many of those perishing are actively attending a church, relying on their traditions but not really being able to answer "Who are you, Jesus?" Ask for a salvation story and it is amazing how many church people will talk about joining the church or going on a youth retreat and never mention the name of Jesus, never even allude to I was a sinner in need of a Savior.
Mark 8:
"Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man." (v. 33) That's pretty strong language for Jesus to use toward one of His chosen twelve. But Peter had rebuked Jesus after Jesus said He was going to suffer many things and be killed. I think He still uses that strong language to us when we try to thwart a work of God.
Often we want to fix people's problems or pray for God to fix them. We never want to suffer or have friends that suffer but maybe God is not ready to fix the problem. Maybe the person needs to wrestle with God over the issue. Maybe there is sin that can not be dealt with without this problem. Maybe it is a godly person that God wants to move to the next level and this struggle is necessary for that to happen.
We don't always understand why stuff happens to us or to those we care about but trying to stop the "happening" could be in direct opposition to what God wants to accomplish. Before we jump in with both feet, we should seek God's counsel on how to, or even if we should, help the person.
Generational God
Brad Cooper preached today at NewSpring as we continued the Upgrade series. He talked about God working in each generation and how important it is for us as the church to invest in the next generation through children's and youth ministries.
God didn't just work in Abraham's life, but in the lives of Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, David, Solomon. Jesus' genealogy shows how God works throughout time to accomplish His plan. But God is still working in our generation and expecting us to pass down what He has taught us.
As I sat there with my son and my grandson, I was so very aware of God's work in the generations of my family. Although my son gave his heart to Jesus early in life, he followed in my footsteps of rebellion and spent many years doing his own thing. But God did not let him go; God kept pursuing him - and his wife. God opened their hearts to want to be part of the things of God through the local church.
My grandson began attending FUSE at the beginning of this school year as a 6th grader. He gave his heart to Jesus soon after and was baptized last fall. He has now been to Ownership Class to become a member of NewSpring and will start volunteering soon. My granddaughter is in KidSpring. She loves reading her Bible and learning her memory verse and she is just 6 years old. They both WANT to come to church each week because they not only learn about Jesus, they have fun.
Thank you, NewSpring, for investing in the lives of children and youth. Thank you, NewSpring, for being a church where people are not expected to "clean up" their act before they come. Thank you, NewSpring, for faithfully proclaiming the Gospel. Thank you, NewSpring, for having messages every Sunday about Jesus and how I can live my life successfully day by day by reading my Bible and doing what it says. Thank you, Jesus, for sending me to NewSpring 3 years ago...it has changed all our lives!
God didn't just work in Abraham's life, but in the lives of Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, David, Solomon. Jesus' genealogy shows how God works throughout time to accomplish His plan. But God is still working in our generation and expecting us to pass down what He has taught us.
As I sat there with my son and my grandson, I was so very aware of God's work in the generations of my family. Although my son gave his heart to Jesus early in life, he followed in my footsteps of rebellion and spent many years doing his own thing. But God did not let him go; God kept pursuing him - and his wife. God opened their hearts to want to be part of the things of God through the local church.
My grandson began attending FUSE at the beginning of this school year as a 6th grader. He gave his heart to Jesus soon after and was baptized last fall. He has now been to Ownership Class to become a member of NewSpring and will start volunteering soon. My granddaughter is in KidSpring. She loves reading her Bible and learning her memory verse and she is just 6 years old. They both WANT to come to church each week because they not only learn about Jesus, they have fun.
Thank you, NewSpring, for investing in the lives of children and youth. Thank you, NewSpring, for being a church where people are not expected to "clean up" their act before they come. Thank you, NewSpring, for faithfully proclaiming the Gospel. Thank you, NewSpring, for having messages every Sunday about Jesus and how I can live my life successfully day by day by reading my Bible and doing what it says. Thank you, Jesus, for sending me to NewSpring 3 years ago...it has changed all our lives!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 7 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 7:
"The Jews therefore marveled [at Jesus] saying, 'How is it that this man has learning when He has never studied?'" (v.15) The religious leaders of the day spent a lot of time studying the Scriptures and had much of it memorized but they missed the most important person, the most important event of all time because they were more interested in their own righteousness, their own knowledge. (v.52) Even Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him at this time. (v.5)
The Scriptures are to be studied, for sure, but the goal is not intellectual knowledge. The goal is life transformation; God is always after our hearts. Their hearts were the problem with the Pharisees and even Jesus' brothers. Their hearts were not turned toward God so when they did not find Jesus to be what they expected the Christ to be they rejected Him.
How often do we do that when God is doing a work that we have never seen or that we don't easily understand whether in an individual or a church or even a country? Do we dismiss it or scorn it? Do we speak against it? Because we don't understand what God is doing, it surely must not be God - like we have true knowledge of how God might accomplish His work. (Isaiah 55:9, 43:19, Habakkuk 1:5)
Mark 7:
"You leave the commandment of God and hold to the traditions of men." (v.8) Help me, Lord, never to enforce my personal convictions or my traditions on others. But also give me a sensitivity to the weakness of others so that I don't ever cause them to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8)
The convictions that God gives me may be different from those He gives to others about things that are not specifically spelled out in His word. It is not up to me to decide which translation of the Bible is right or if having a beer with your pizza is wrong or what type of music to listen to. I have my convictions about those things but my brother or sister in Christ may have different convictions...and that's OK.
"The Jews therefore marveled [at Jesus] saying, 'How is it that this man has learning when He has never studied?'" (v.15) The religious leaders of the day spent a lot of time studying the Scriptures and had much of it memorized but they missed the most important person, the most important event of all time because they were more interested in their own righteousness, their own knowledge. (v.52) Even Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him at this time. (v.5)
The Scriptures are to be studied, for sure, but the goal is not intellectual knowledge. The goal is life transformation; God is always after our hearts. Their hearts were the problem with the Pharisees and even Jesus' brothers. Their hearts were not turned toward God so when they did not find Jesus to be what they expected the Christ to be they rejected Him.
How often do we do that when God is doing a work that we have never seen or that we don't easily understand whether in an individual or a church or even a country? Do we dismiss it or scorn it? Do we speak against it? Because we don't understand what God is doing, it surely must not be God - like we have true knowledge of how God might accomplish His work. (Isaiah 55:9, 43:19, Habakkuk 1:5)
Mark 7:
"You leave the commandment of God and hold to the traditions of men." (v.8) Help me, Lord, never to enforce my personal convictions or my traditions on others. But also give me a sensitivity to the weakness of others so that I don't ever cause them to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8)
The convictions that God gives me may be different from those He gives to others about things that are not specifically spelled out in His word. It is not up to me to decide which translation of the Bible is right or if having a beer with your pizza is wrong or what type of music to listen to. I have my convictions about those things but my brother or sister in Christ may have different convictions...and that's OK.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Day 6 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 6:
"After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him." (v.66) Jesus had just finished explaining that He is the bread of life and that anyone who "feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him:" (v.56)
Many of Jesus' followers found this too difficult to understand. When the going got tough - or confusing - many decided He wasn't the Rabbi they wanted to study under any longer. Many of them were only following Him because He had fed them (v.26) not because they actually believed Him to be sent by God.
How like many today who only want to follow Jesus so they can get something from Him - a better job, a new house, a spouse, money, health - with no thought of surrendering their lives or their job, house, spouse, money, health to Jesus. So when things don't turn out like they hoped, or the going gets tough or confusing, they walk away.
The disciples did not learn what Jesus meant in verse 56 until He was with the twelve at the last supper. (Luke 22:14-20) Even if we don't understand completely, our response to Jesus should be the same as Simon Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." (v.67-69)
Mark 6:
"And [Jesus] marveled at their unbelief." (v.6) The people of Jesus hometown "took offense at Him" (v.2-3) because they "knew" Him. They questioned His wisdom; He was the carpenter; they knew His mother and brothers.
I pray my life would be not be characterized by unbelief. There have been times when I questioned the future, when I questioned God's provision. When new situations, new struggles arise in my life, it is easy to not trust Jesus to take care of it. I have learned when those do come up to immerse myself in God's word and to pray until I really, really, really believe that God is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. He has ALWAYS proved faithful in my life for every situation I have faced and He will prove faithful in the next situation too.
"After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him." (v.66) Jesus had just finished explaining that He is the bread of life and that anyone who "feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him:" (v.56)
Many of Jesus' followers found this too difficult to understand. When the going got tough - or confusing - many decided He wasn't the Rabbi they wanted to study under any longer. Many of them were only following Him because He had fed them (v.26) not because they actually believed Him to be sent by God.
How like many today who only want to follow Jesus so they can get something from Him - a better job, a new house, a spouse, money, health - with no thought of surrendering their lives or their job, house, spouse, money, health to Jesus. So when things don't turn out like they hoped, or the going gets tough or confusing, they walk away.
The disciples did not learn what Jesus meant in verse 56 until He was with the twelve at the last supper. (Luke 22:14-20) Even if we don't understand completely, our response to Jesus should be the same as Simon Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." (v.67-69)
Mark 6:
"And [Jesus] marveled at their unbelief." (v.6) The people of Jesus hometown "took offense at Him" (v.2-3) because they "knew" Him. They questioned His wisdom; He was the carpenter; they knew His mother and brothers.
I pray my life would be not be characterized by unbelief. There have been times when I questioned the future, when I questioned God's provision. When new situations, new struggles arise in my life, it is easy to not trust Jesus to take care of it. I have learned when those do come up to immerse myself in God's word and to pray until I really, really, really believe that God is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. He has ALWAYS proved faithful in my life for every situation I have faced and He will prove faithful in the next situation too.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Lord's Name
I heard a radio preacher last night talking about the Ten Commandments. He was speaking on the 3rd commandment - "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)
I've always thought of this more as the anti-profanity rule. Don't use God's name to damn people or things; don't use God or Jesus as any type of expletive; don't use OMG - all those casual, careless uses of the names God or Jesus. Last night this man spoke of carrying the name of God but living a life of hypocrisy. I had never thought of that as taking the Lord's name in vain.
There is a difference between being a Christian who sins and being a sinful Christian. Because we are human, we will sin, even when we belong to Christ. We will be angry or rude or unjust or unforgiving or lie or prideful or something just because we are still imperfect people in an imperfect world. We should, however, feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confess any sin immediately.
That is different from claiming to belong to Christ and openly living a life of sin, with no desire to admit to or confess sin or to leave that lifestyle we're living. I once walked the road of the prodigal daughter and it was many years before I submitted to the conviction of sin and sought forgiveness. During that time, I would have told anyone that I was a Christian because I was. I even went to church periodically; I just didn't have any use for God and His rules.
It's been 28 years since my relationship with God was restored but I am just now asking for forgiveness for this specific sin in my life. God has forgiven me so much and my life has been blessed by Him over and over so some might wonder why I need to confess this now. I need to because I just became aware of the sin. I believe it is important for me to confess specific sins when I recognize them so God and I can agree that it was sin and that I am forgiven. Then I don't have to dwell on it any more.
I've always thought of this more as the anti-profanity rule. Don't use God's name to damn people or things; don't use God or Jesus as any type of expletive; don't use OMG - all those casual, careless uses of the names God or Jesus. Last night this man spoke of carrying the name of God but living a life of hypocrisy. I had never thought of that as taking the Lord's name in vain.
There is a difference between being a Christian who sins and being a sinful Christian. Because we are human, we will sin, even when we belong to Christ. We will be angry or rude or unjust or unforgiving or lie or prideful or something just because we are still imperfect people in an imperfect world. We should, however, feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confess any sin immediately.
That is different from claiming to belong to Christ and openly living a life of sin, with no desire to admit to or confess sin or to leave that lifestyle we're living. I once walked the road of the prodigal daughter and it was many years before I submitted to the conviction of sin and sought forgiveness. During that time, I would have told anyone that I was a Christian because I was. I even went to church periodically; I just didn't have any use for God and His rules.
It's been 28 years since my relationship with God was restored but I am just now asking for forgiveness for this specific sin in my life. God has forgiven me so much and my life has been blessed by Him over and over so some might wonder why I need to confess this now. I need to because I just became aware of the sin. I believe it is important for me to confess specific sins when I recognize them so God and I can agree that it was sin and that I am forgiven. Then I don't have to dwell on it any more.
Day 5 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 5:
"You search the Scriptures...and it is they that bear witness about Me" (v.39) If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me." (v.46)
Some people believe, in this day and time, we should only read the New Testament but the entire Bible is about Jesus. When He made these two statements, only the Old Testament existed. (Well, duh! since the New Testament was happening right before their eyes.) There is much to learn of God and His revelation to His people, Israel, that is applicable to me today because God's character never changes. And knowing that Jesus is all through the Bible makes the Old Testament just as relevant for me as the New Testament.
Mark 5:
There are several different stories in this chapter of Mark, stories of a demon possessed man, Jarius' daughter who died, and a woman who had been bleeding for years. It's not the stories so much that I thought about this time around as it was the reactions to Jesus.
In the first story the demon saw Jesus and caused the man to run to Him and fall at His feet. Then the demon begged for the right to be sent into a heard of pigs. So Jesus gave permission and the legion of demons went into the pigs and drove them into the sea. When the people living in the area came to Jesus after hearing about this they were afraid. And Jesus left them.
When Jarius came to Jesus, he fell at Jesus' feet. When Jesus got to his house after the girl had died, the mourners laughed at Jesus when He said she's not dead. But Jesus got her back on her feet.
The woman who had been sick for so many years had such great faith in Jesus that she believed I only need touch His garment to be made well. She did touch it and she was made well. Jesus recognized the healing power that had gone from Him and wanted to know who touched Him. The woman came in fear and trembling and fell down before Him. And Jesus blessed her.
The one constant with all three of these is they fell at Jesus' feet. That should be my attitude too. Jesus is my brother and my friend but He is also Lord and King and Savior. My best response is always humbleness, falling at His feet, as recognition that He is God and I am not.
"You search the Scriptures...and it is they that bear witness about Me" (v.39) If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me." (v.46)
Some people believe, in this day and time, we should only read the New Testament but the entire Bible is about Jesus. When He made these two statements, only the Old Testament existed. (Well, duh! since the New Testament was happening right before their eyes.) There is much to learn of God and His revelation to His people, Israel, that is applicable to me today because God's character never changes. And knowing that Jesus is all through the Bible makes the Old Testament just as relevant for me as the New Testament.
Mark 5:
There are several different stories in this chapter of Mark, stories of a demon possessed man, Jarius' daughter who died, and a woman who had been bleeding for years. It's not the stories so much that I thought about this time around as it was the reactions to Jesus.
In the first story the demon saw Jesus and caused the man to run to Him and fall at His feet. Then the demon begged for the right to be sent into a heard of pigs. So Jesus gave permission and the legion of demons went into the pigs and drove them into the sea. When the people living in the area came to Jesus after hearing about this they were afraid. And Jesus left them.
When Jarius came to Jesus, he fell at Jesus' feet. When Jesus got to his house after the girl had died, the mourners laughed at Jesus when He said she's not dead. But Jesus got her back on her feet.
The woman who had been sick for so many years had such great faith in Jesus that she believed I only need touch His garment to be made well. She did touch it and she was made well. Jesus recognized the healing power that had gone from Him and wanted to know who touched Him. The woman came in fear and trembling and fell down before Him. And Jesus blessed her.
The one constant with all three of these is they fell at Jesus' feet. That should be my attitude too. Jesus is my brother and my friend but He is also Lord and King and Savior. My best response is always humbleness, falling at His feet, as recognition that He is God and I am not.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 4 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 4:
"And [Jesus] had to pass through Samaria." (v.4) Well, by man's thinking, Jesus did NOT have to pass through Samaria. It was probably the shortest route but Jews did not go through Samaria and did not spend time with Samaritans and did not talk in public to women of any race or nationality. But Jesus did because His salvation is not exclusive but inclusive...God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His one and only Son (3:16)
But that is a little off course from what I was thinking when I read verse 4 this morning. Just as Jesus HAD to go through Samaria because it was part of God's plan to reach the world, there are times when I HAVE to go through a loss or hardship or struggle to keep me centered on God. The hardships of life are meant to send me to my knees so that I can see "...all things work together for good..." and I can "be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:28-29) I don't want to experience any of the bad stuff of life but without it I might never develop a deep and abiding relationship with my Father.
Mark 4:
"And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?'" (v.41) The men in the boat with Jesus had been chosen specifically to be His closest companions. They had seen Him heal people of all sorts of diseases and cast out demons and had listened to His teaching but they did not yet understand who Jesus really is. So when the storm came up suddenly and the boat was filling with water, they were afraid although Jesus was right there in the boat with them.
When they called on Jesus for help, He "rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!'" (v.39) That 's the same thing He says to me when I am afraid my life is about to sink. This man Jesus, God with flesh, Creator of the wind and the sea, Creator of humanity, has the power to save me from any situation. Will He always do it? Maybe not. But He will always be in the boat with me as I ride through the storm so I never have to be afraid.
"And [Jesus] had to pass through Samaria." (v.4) Well, by man's thinking, Jesus did NOT have to pass through Samaria. It was probably the shortest route but Jews did not go through Samaria and did not spend time with Samaritans and did not talk in public to women of any race or nationality. But Jesus did because His salvation is not exclusive but inclusive...God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His one and only Son (3:16)
But that is a little off course from what I was thinking when I read verse 4 this morning. Just as Jesus HAD to go through Samaria because it was part of God's plan to reach the world, there are times when I HAVE to go through a loss or hardship or struggle to keep me centered on God. The hardships of life are meant to send me to my knees so that I can see "...all things work together for good..." and I can "be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:28-29) I don't want to experience any of the bad stuff of life but without it I might never develop a deep and abiding relationship with my Father.
Mark 4:
"And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?'" (v.41) The men in the boat with Jesus had been chosen specifically to be His closest companions. They had seen Him heal people of all sorts of diseases and cast out demons and had listened to His teaching but they did not yet understand who Jesus really is. So when the storm came up suddenly and the boat was filling with water, they were afraid although Jesus was right there in the boat with them.
When they called on Jesus for help, He "rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!'" (v.39) That 's the same thing He says to me when I am afraid my life is about to sink. This man Jesus, God with flesh, Creator of the wind and the sea, Creator of humanity, has the power to save me from any situation. Will He always do it? Maybe not. But He will always be in the boat with me as I ride through the storm so I never have to be afraid.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 3 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 3:
I've heard people say if God sends people to hell, then He is not good or loving. In John 3:16-17 Jesus tells us of God's great love for all people (the world). Jesus is in the physical world not to condemn but to save, "...that whoever believes in Him should not perish..." and again "...in order that the world might be saved through Him." Jesus goes on to say, however, that those who do not believe are condemned. And why are they condemned? Because they reject God's plan, "he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." They choose their own path and then want to blame God for telling the truth.
John the baptizer, the preacher, reiterates Jesus' words when he says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, whoever does not OBEY (emphasis mine) the Son shall not see life, but he wrath of God remains on him." (v.36)
Mark 3:
Jesus appointed 12 disciples that He named apostles and gave them special powers. As I read over this list, I was struck by how some did not do anything to get their names in the Bible repeatedly. Bartholomew and the other James and the other Simon and Thaddaeus and even Matthew, Andrew, Phillip and Thomas are rarely heard from, if at all, after they are appointed by Jesus. (vs.13-19)
Not everyone is a Simon Peter or John or James. The other nine were given the same appointment as these three. Judas, of course, tossed his away completely. But the others were out doing the work, traveling with Jesus, listening and learning. They are part of the twelve who changed the world after Jesus was raised from the dead.
I am much like those nine today. I am not a well-known evangelist or church leader but I have been set apart by Jesus to make a difference in my world. Maybe no one will ever know who I am except that person I led to Christ or the woman I encouraged to stick with her marriage or the young woman I talked to about sexual purity in her relationship with her boyfriend. It is not for me to make myself known but to make Jesus known.
Just as those other disciples went unnoticed in their day to day encounters with people, so it is with the majority of Christ followers. Faithfulness in the face of anonymousness is the calling Jesus puts on most of our lives.
I've heard people say if God sends people to hell, then He is not good or loving. In John 3:16-17 Jesus tells us of God's great love for all people (the world). Jesus is in the physical world not to condemn but to save, "...that whoever believes in Him should not perish..." and again "...in order that the world might be saved through Him." Jesus goes on to say, however, that those who do not believe are condemned. And why are they condemned? Because they reject God's plan, "he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." They choose their own path and then want to blame God for telling the truth.
John the baptizer, the preacher, reiterates Jesus' words when he says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, whoever does not OBEY (emphasis mine) the Son shall not see life, but he wrath of God remains on him." (v.36)
Mark 3:
Jesus appointed 12 disciples that He named apostles and gave them special powers. As I read over this list, I was struck by how some did not do anything to get their names in the Bible repeatedly. Bartholomew and the other James and the other Simon and Thaddaeus and even Matthew, Andrew, Phillip and Thomas are rarely heard from, if at all, after they are appointed by Jesus. (vs.13-19)
Not everyone is a Simon Peter or John or James. The other nine were given the same appointment as these three. Judas, of course, tossed his away completely. But the others were out doing the work, traveling with Jesus, listening and learning. They are part of the twelve who changed the world after Jesus was raised from the dead.
I am much like those nine today. I am not a well-known evangelist or church leader but I have been set apart by Jesus to make a difference in my world. Maybe no one will ever know who I am except that person I led to Christ or the woman I encouraged to stick with her marriage or the young woman I talked to about sexual purity in her relationship with her boyfriend. It is not for me to make myself known but to make Jesus known.
Just as those other disciples went unnoticed in their day to day encounters with people, so it is with the majority of Christ followers. Faithfulness in the face of anonymousness is the calling Jesus puts on most of our lives.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Day 2 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 2: "...(though the servants who had drawn the water knew)..." (v.9) This little aside is part of the story of the wedding feast at Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. The servants obeyed Jesus by filling the water jars, witnessed the miracle, and took the wine to the master of the feast who was astonished at the superior quality of the wine.
There is no indication that Jesus ever told any of the wedding party what He had done. But the servants knew, and His disciples. How often am I tempted to let pride take hold of me and say, "I did that; or I accomplished this." Too often I look for that human pat on the back or that swell of pride that comes from having people know what I did. But I need to remember Jesus' words later in John 15 when He said, "...apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 2 ends with "Jesus...did not entrust Himself to them...for He Himself knew what was in man." That is both comforting and sobering. Jesus knows my heart, my insides, the part I sometimes try to hide from the world - the pride, the resentment, the unforgiveness, that little lie, that desire, that "secret" sin. And yet, Jesus gave His life for me. Took ALL my sin and bore the wrath of God to fulfill love and justice. What a Savior!!
Mark 2: "And the scribes of the Pharisees...said, 'Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" (v.16) Jesus was making the established religious leaders angry because He associated with the "unclean" - those who were beyond hope in the eyes of those leaders.
Is my heart like that? It has been shown over and over again that the longer a person is in church, the less likely that person is to have friends who don't know Jesus. Am I willing to make friends with those who are outside the comfort zone of most who call themselves Christians? Do I really care that there are people around me who are dying and going to hell? Do I believe they are "too far gone" for God to do a miraculous work in their lives? Make my heart like Yours, Lord. Open my eyes to see the fields white for harvest. Take away any self righteousness, any self satisfaction, any comfort in my own position so that I can remember what it was like to live without You. Help me to remember my own journey toward hell until You rescued me so that I can always believe that no one is beyond Your ability to save.
There is no indication that Jesus ever told any of the wedding party what He had done. But the servants knew, and His disciples. How often am I tempted to let pride take hold of me and say, "I did that; or I accomplished this." Too often I look for that human pat on the back or that swell of pride that comes from having people know what I did. But I need to remember Jesus' words later in John 15 when He said, "...apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 2 ends with "Jesus...did not entrust Himself to them...for He Himself knew what was in man." That is both comforting and sobering. Jesus knows my heart, my insides, the part I sometimes try to hide from the world - the pride, the resentment, the unforgiveness, that little lie, that desire, that "secret" sin. And yet, Jesus gave His life for me. Took ALL my sin and bore the wrath of God to fulfill love and justice. What a Savior!!
Mark 2: "And the scribes of the Pharisees...said, 'Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?'" (v.16) Jesus was making the established religious leaders angry because He associated with the "unclean" - those who were beyond hope in the eyes of those leaders.
Is my heart like that? It has been shown over and over again that the longer a person is in church, the less likely that person is to have friends who don't know Jesus. Am I willing to make friends with those who are outside the comfort zone of most who call themselves Christians? Do I really care that there are people around me who are dying and going to hell? Do I believe they are "too far gone" for God to do a miraculous work in their lives? Make my heart like Yours, Lord. Open my eyes to see the fields white for harvest. Take away any self righteousness, any self satisfaction, any comfort in my own position so that I can remember what it was like to live without You. Help me to remember my own journey toward hell until You rescued me so that I can always believe that no one is beyond Your ability to save.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
21 Day Bible Reading Plan
Today at NewSpring in the Upgrade series Perry talked about how to be successful in life: I must read the Bible and do what it says. God is not after my behavior, He is after my heart.
Perry talked about the Bible being useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. He talked about growing up and feeding ourselves and owning our relationship with God and not depending on his, Perry's, relationship or a parent's or friend's. He talked about Solomon and how not reading the Bible and not doing what God said caused Solomon's life to end badly.
After Perry went through this message, he challenged every member to start reading his Bible and provided a 21 Bible Reading Plan.
I read my Bible but always want to participate in whatever Perry asks the church to do.
So: Day 1
John 1: I have always loved verses 1-14. I am always blown away by "the Word became flesh..." To think that the creative Word that spoke everything into existence actually became clothed in flesh is more than I can comprehend. But today as I read this chapter I was reminded that the writer John, the Apostle, was an eyewitness to the things he wrote about. In verse 14, speaking of Jesus he says, "...we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father..." And in verse 32 he quotes John the baptizer who said "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven..." and in verse 34, "And I have seen..."
The Bible is inerrant because of God's authorship. Even if that seems difficult to understand the fact that these are eyewitness accounts should make the Bible trustworthy to anyone.
Mark 1: "And He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him." (verse 34b) In James 2:19 we read that the demons believe - and shudder! The demons know exactly who Jesus is and where He came from and how much authority He has. This made me think about the difference between intellectual belief and saving faith which means that I actually do what Jesus tells me to do.
Perry talked about the Bible being useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. He talked about growing up and feeding ourselves and owning our relationship with God and not depending on his, Perry's, relationship or a parent's or friend's. He talked about Solomon and how not reading the Bible and not doing what God said caused Solomon's life to end badly.
After Perry went through this message, he challenged every member to start reading his Bible and provided a 21 Bible Reading Plan.
I read my Bible but always want to participate in whatever Perry asks the church to do.
So: Day 1
John 1: I have always loved verses 1-14. I am always blown away by "the Word became flesh..." To think that the creative Word that spoke everything into existence actually became clothed in flesh is more than I can comprehend. But today as I read this chapter I was reminded that the writer John, the Apostle, was an eyewitness to the things he wrote about. In verse 14, speaking of Jesus he says, "...we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father..." And in verse 32 he quotes John the baptizer who said "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven..." and in verse 34, "And I have seen..."
The Bible is inerrant because of God's authorship. Even if that seems difficult to understand the fact that these are eyewitness accounts should make the Bible trustworthy to anyone.
Mark 1: "And He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him." (verse 34b) In James 2:19 we read that the demons believe - and shudder! The demons know exactly who Jesus is and where He came from and how much authority He has. This made me think about the difference between intellectual belief and saving faith which means that I actually do what Jesus tells me to do.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Cease Striving
"Cease striving, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
In most translations this verse reads "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Both of these speak to me. Being still speaks to me of shutting off the TV, the computer, the noise of life to take time to know God. Not know Him in a cursory or intellectual way but to know Him personally. That doesn't happen if life is too noisy to hear God whisper to me.
But here is where the "cease striving" speaks to me. I need to stop trying to do everything myself - my own dreams and plans, my own energy, my own capabilities. Sure God gives me energy and capabilities but these should always be brought into submission to God. I need to learn more about waiting on God - to cease striving.
Waiting on God is active. I don't just sit and twiddle my thumbs and do nothing. It means spending time in God's word, praying and continuing to do what He has me doing now. I do not forge ahead with what I want to do until I am sure it is what God wants me to do. As I wait, as I cease striving, I have the opportunity to really know God and His plans for me.
In most translations this verse reads "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Both of these speak to me. Being still speaks to me of shutting off the TV, the computer, the noise of life to take time to know God. Not know Him in a cursory or intellectual way but to know Him personally. That doesn't happen if life is too noisy to hear God whisper to me.
But here is where the "cease striving" speaks to me. I need to stop trying to do everything myself - my own dreams and plans, my own energy, my own capabilities. Sure God gives me energy and capabilities but these should always be brought into submission to God. I need to learn more about waiting on God - to cease striving.
Waiting on God is active. I don't just sit and twiddle my thumbs and do nothing. It means spending time in God's word, praying and continuing to do what He has me doing now. I do not forge ahead with what I want to do until I am sure it is what God wants me to do. As I wait, as I cease striving, I have the opportunity to really know God and His plans for me.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Great Delight
"The Lord your God is with you, He is might to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
There is nothing that I need to remember more when it seems life is going against me, when waves of doubt assail me, when troubles seem to pile up on top of each other, God is mighty to save.
He has saved me to the uttermost by drawing me to His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25) which means I will live forever - even though my body will die.
To know that the Creator of all things knows me personally and takes great delight in me makes that person who doesn't like me or treat me well, pale by comparison. Why did I even let it get under my skin? GOD delights in me even if THAT person does not.
God delights in me...I give Him pleasure. And not just delight but GREAT delight so that would be GREAT pleasure. WOW! How amazing is that!
Not only will He take great delight in me, He rejoices over me with singing. This reminds me of a mother who sings over her child to help calm the restlessness that often comes at bedtime. When I am restless, He will joyfully sing over me so that I am quieted with His love.
I also think of all the "singing" God created in the world and consider how beautiful His singing is; the birds with all their variety of song, and whales and dolphins and wolves and prairie dogs and the purring of a cat and ocean waves and wind in the trees and a bubbling brook or cascading waterfall. He made so much variety and beauty but rejoices over me, delights in me, calls me His child.
Now the question is do I take great delight in God? Do I look forward to spending time with Him? Do I worship Him and Him alone? My answer would have to be most of the time. I'm a frail human and find that I am not 100% with God all day, every day. I pray that more and more the events of life would drive me to Him and never away.
There is nothing that I need to remember more when it seems life is going against me, when waves of doubt assail me, when troubles seem to pile up on top of each other, God is mighty to save.
He has saved me to the uttermost by drawing me to His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25) which means I will live forever - even though my body will die.
To know that the Creator of all things knows me personally and takes great delight in me makes that person who doesn't like me or treat me well, pale by comparison. Why did I even let it get under my skin? GOD delights in me even if THAT person does not.
God delights in me...I give Him pleasure. And not just delight but GREAT delight so that would be GREAT pleasure. WOW! How amazing is that!
Not only will He take great delight in me, He rejoices over me with singing. This reminds me of a mother who sings over her child to help calm the restlessness that often comes at bedtime. When I am restless, He will joyfully sing over me so that I am quieted with His love.
I also think of all the "singing" God created in the world and consider how beautiful His singing is; the birds with all their variety of song, and whales and dolphins and wolves and prairie dogs and the purring of a cat and ocean waves and wind in the trees and a bubbling brook or cascading waterfall. He made so much variety and beauty but rejoices over me, delights in me, calls me His child.
Now the question is do I take great delight in God? Do I look forward to spending time with Him? Do I worship Him and Him alone? My answer would have to be most of the time. I'm a frail human and find that I am not 100% with God all day, every day. I pray that more and more the events of life would drive me to Him and never away.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
End of the Age
I've been hearing a lot of Christians talking about the end of the age because of the earthquakes in New Zealand and Chili and Japan and the tsunami several years ago in Indonesia and the unrest in the Arab and African countries. People read Matthew 24:6-7 and say it's now! But in verse 8, Jesus says it is just the beginning, not the now.
The thing is just about every generation since Jesus ascended into heaven after the resurrection has seen the times as the fulfillment of the Christ's return. But Jesus said no one knows the time except the Father. He said don't worry about the when, use the power of the Holy Spirit to be witness of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
All believers have been looking for Christ's return since He physically left the earth 2000 years ago. I think we all long for the restoration of the world as God first created it. I think we all long for the time when their will be peace on the earth. And we know that will not happen until the forces of darkness are cast out completely and Christ rules over all the earth forever.
But we should never forget the mission - the great commission - given to all believers - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." It doesn't matter when the end comes - whether by death or Christ's return. All this should be a wake up call that we are to be actively involved in the day to day lives of people to help them not only see Jesus by the lives we live but hear about Him by the words we speak so they will be ready to meet Him however and whenever that takes place.
The thing is just about every generation since Jesus ascended into heaven after the resurrection has seen the times as the fulfillment of the Christ's return. But Jesus said no one knows the time except the Father. He said don't worry about the when, use the power of the Holy Spirit to be witness of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
All believers have been looking for Christ's return since He physically left the earth 2000 years ago. I think we all long for the restoration of the world as God first created it. I think we all long for the time when their will be peace on the earth. And we know that will not happen until the forces of darkness are cast out completely and Christ rules over all the earth forever.
But we should never forget the mission - the great commission - given to all believers - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." It doesn't matter when the end comes - whether by death or Christ's return. All this should be a wake up call that we are to be actively involved in the day to day lives of people to help them not only see Jesus by the lives we live but hear about Him by the words we speak so they will be ready to meet Him however and whenever that takes place.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Destruction in Japan
The destruction in Japan from the earthquake last weekend and the resulting tsunami, fires and aftershocks looks like the effects of a huge bomb. Pictures from CNN can be seen here: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2011/03/world/hires.japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T2
A friend has heard from a missionary associated with WorldVenture living in Kawasaki, Japan who has asked that people pray for the following:
1. for the rescue efforts in the hardest hit areas - there is much loss of life, pray for more survivors
2. for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of theirs
3. for three churches in their church association in the area that have not been heard from
4. for Japanese to turn their hearts to Him
He concludes by saying 99% of Japanese are without the hope and eternal life Christ gives.
I can not begin to imagine what I would feel like as a survivor of this type of disaster. My prayers go out to the people of Japan and to those who are attempting to help bring order out of chaos.
A friend has heard from a missionary associated with WorldVenture living in Kawasaki, Japan who has asked that people pray for the following:
1. for the rescue efforts in the hardest hit areas - there is much loss of life, pray for more survivors
2. for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of theirs
3. for three churches in their church association in the area that have not been heard from
4. for Japanese to turn their hearts to Him
He concludes by saying 99% of Japanese are without the hope and eternal life Christ gives.
I can not begin to imagine what I would feel like as a survivor of this type of disaster. My prayers go out to the people of Japan and to those who are attempting to help bring order out of chaos.
Do Not Love the World
Why are we so stupid? Our enemy, the devil, never changes his tactics, never offers up any new temptations but we fall for them over and over again.
In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle John tells us "Do not love the world or the things in the world...the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions [are] not from the Father but [are] from the world."
In Genesis 3:6 we read about Eve and the temptation to eat from the tree God had forbidden. God had provided all Adam and Eve would need, but "when [she] saw that the tree was good for food (desires of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (desires of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise"(pride in possessions) she turned her back on all the good things God had provided and sinned against God by doing what He had specifically forbidden causing a break in their relationship.
In Matthew 4 we read of the temptation of Jesus. The tempter came to Him after Jesus had been fasting for forty days and forty nights and he was hungry. So he tells Jesus, you're hungry turn these stones to bread to satisfy your hunger (desires of the flesh) which Jesus countered with scripture.
Next he takes Jesus to the very top of the temple (where He looks out over Jerusalem - desires of the eyes) and dares Him to throw Himself off and let the angels rescue Him. Jesus again responds with scripture.
The third temptation took place on a very high mountain where Satan said You can have all this (pride in possessions) if You will just worship me. Finally Jesus said, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve."
The world is the domain of our enemy so why do we, as Christians whose home is NOT in this world, get so caught up in all the things of this world? We allow him to entice us over and over again with things that do not last.
I need to emulate Jesus and know the word of God and the truth He speaks to me about how to live and who I really am if I have given my life to Christ. I am a child of the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe who will provide all I need. The real temptation comes when I want stuff, people, things, position, and/or recognition more than I want my relationship with Jesus.
In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle John tells us "Do not love the world or the things in the world...the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions [are] not from the Father but [are] from the world."
In Genesis 3:6 we read about Eve and the temptation to eat from the tree God had forbidden. God had provided all Adam and Eve would need, but "when [she] saw that the tree was good for food (desires of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (desires of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise"(pride in possessions) she turned her back on all the good things God had provided and sinned against God by doing what He had specifically forbidden causing a break in their relationship.
In Matthew 4 we read of the temptation of Jesus. The tempter came to Him after Jesus had been fasting for forty days and forty nights and he was hungry. So he tells Jesus, you're hungry turn these stones to bread to satisfy your hunger (desires of the flesh) which Jesus countered with scripture.
Next he takes Jesus to the very top of the temple (where He looks out over Jerusalem - desires of the eyes) and dares Him to throw Himself off and let the angels rescue Him. Jesus again responds with scripture.
The third temptation took place on a very high mountain where Satan said You can have all this (pride in possessions) if You will just worship me. Finally Jesus said, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve."
The world is the domain of our enemy so why do we, as Christians whose home is NOT in this world, get so caught up in all the things of this world? We allow him to entice us over and over again with things that do not last.
I need to emulate Jesus and know the word of God and the truth He speaks to me about how to live and who I really am if I have given my life to Christ. I am a child of the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe who will provide all I need. The real temptation comes when I want stuff, people, things, position, and/or recognition more than I want my relationship with Jesus.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Unleash Is Just Days Away
Wow, I can hardly believe it is time for Unleash again. It's going to be a GREAT day! How do I know? Because every year it gets better and better.
There are 3100 people coming from all over the world for this one day conference. I met a young man, a musician, on Monday at the Anderson Campus who has come to the US from Perth, Australia just for this conference. This is his first trip to the US so he did go to Chicago and to Memphis before descending on the Anderson metropolis, population 25,500. Perry also mentioned Sunday that a church planter from England and one from Estonia will be coming. In past years working as a greeter in the parking lots I have met people from just about every state who come to be equipped to follow hard after God and do what He tells them to do - not to do church like we do but to be obedient to whatever God is leading THEM to do.
Monday I worked all day preparing for Unleash. I was one of about 15 volunteers, from college freshmen to late 60s, men and women, black and white, putting together conference packets for attenders and vendors. We also unloaded a bunch of snacks and bottled water to sustain these 3100 people during their two breaks.
There were lots of people today and will be again Wednesday as over 3700 bag lunches are assembled and tents are erected and chairs and tables are moved and coolers filled with ice, sodas and water, fruit is unboxed and so much more as we prepare for our guests. What great fun getting ready is!!
This year for the first time I will be part of the Unleash production team on Thursday. Although production is where I serve on Sunday, I have never been invited to serve on the Unleash team. What I will be doing will assist the band and speakers in the main auditorium and will not be seen by any of the 3100 people or 600 volunteers that will be there. Maybe 12 people will know what I am doing but what an honor it is! Because what I am doing will be broken up into segments, I will still get to interact with the attenders during lunch. It's going to be a GREAT day!
There are 3100 people coming from all over the world for this one day conference. I met a young man, a musician, on Monday at the Anderson Campus who has come to the US from Perth, Australia just for this conference. This is his first trip to the US so he did go to Chicago and to Memphis before descending on the Anderson metropolis, population 25,500. Perry also mentioned Sunday that a church planter from England and one from Estonia will be coming. In past years working as a greeter in the parking lots I have met people from just about every state who come to be equipped to follow hard after God and do what He tells them to do - not to do church like we do but to be obedient to whatever God is leading THEM to do.
Monday I worked all day preparing for Unleash. I was one of about 15 volunteers, from college freshmen to late 60s, men and women, black and white, putting together conference packets for attenders and vendors. We also unloaded a bunch of snacks and bottled water to sustain these 3100 people during their two breaks.
There were lots of people today and will be again Wednesday as over 3700 bag lunches are assembled and tents are erected and chairs and tables are moved and coolers filled with ice, sodas and water, fruit is unboxed and so much more as we prepare for our guests. What great fun getting ready is!!
This year for the first time I will be part of the Unleash production team on Thursday. Although production is where I serve on Sunday, I have never been invited to serve on the Unleash team. What I will be doing will assist the band and speakers in the main auditorium and will not be seen by any of the 3100 people or 600 volunteers that will be there. Maybe 12 people will know what I am doing but what an honor it is! Because what I am doing will be broken up into segments, I will still get to interact with the attenders during lunch. It's going to be a GREAT day!
I Am Humbled
I am humbled to be used by God in ways that I would never have imagined at one point in my life. God is so forgiving, so patient, so loving, so kind, so generous, so faithful to me over and over and over.
I am humbled that He would lead me to the greatest church in America, NewSpring Community Church, in Anderson SC of all places to sit under the teaching of one of the greatest preachers in America, Perry Noble. I am humbled that He would allow me to be part of the launch team 3 years ago for the first satellite campus of NewSpring located in Greenville SC. I look forward with great anticipation at how God is going to allow me to serve when a satellite campus actually comes to my home city.
To think there was a time when I was an enemy of God but now I get to serve Him, His Church-the body of Christ, and those who are still enemies of God. Today I had the privilege of leading two people in a prayer of repentance and forgiveness as they asked Jesus into their hearts.
The time I spend at the Greenville church offices each Tuesday really keeps me on my spiritual toes. I never know what questions will come my way or what situations I will need to address. There are so many hurting people in our community. To think God would allow me to have the opportunity to speak His truth into their lives is almost more than I can absorb at times. This means I actively seeking God day by day to be prepared for the task at hand. Words of encouragement from me are good but coupled with the words of God makes them better.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul and allowing me to serve You by serving people around me. What a great God You are to take a God hater/world lover like me and to make me useful to You.
.
I am humbled that He would lead me to the greatest church in America, NewSpring Community Church, in Anderson SC of all places to sit under the teaching of one of the greatest preachers in America, Perry Noble. I am humbled that He would allow me to be part of the launch team 3 years ago for the first satellite campus of NewSpring located in Greenville SC. I look forward with great anticipation at how God is going to allow me to serve when a satellite campus actually comes to my home city.
To think there was a time when I was an enemy of God but now I get to serve Him, His Church-the body of Christ, and those who are still enemies of God. Today I had the privilege of leading two people in a prayer of repentance and forgiveness as they asked Jesus into their hearts.
The time I spend at the Greenville church offices each Tuesday really keeps me on my spiritual toes. I never know what questions will come my way or what situations I will need to address. There are so many hurting people in our community. To think God would allow me to have the opportunity to speak His truth into their lives is almost more than I can absorb at times. This means I actively seeking God day by day to be prepared for the task at hand. Words of encouragement from me are good but coupled with the words of God makes them better.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul and allowing me to serve You by serving people around me. What a great God You are to take a God hater/world lover like me and to make me useful to You.
.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Be Holy
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16 & Leviticus 11:44.
All through the book of Exodus God speaks of things as holy. The ground where Moses was standing, the garments for the priests, the utensils and altar for the Tent of Meeting, the incense...everything connected with the worship of God was called holy by God. Then we get to Leviticus 10:3 where God says, "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy." Then we get to Leviticus 11:44 and He tells the people they are to be holy.
So I decided to look up the definition of holy. I have always heard it means set apart to God but I don't think I have ever actually looked it up. The definitions I found are 1. dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God; consecrated; sacred 2. spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; saintly 3. regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence, or adoration.
So what does it mean for me to be holy? Certainly number 3 is out. I don't deserve any awe, reverence or adoration. Number 1 seems to fit me...belonging to God because I am His child through my faith in Jesus Christ. Number 2 at first seemed to apply only to God. Certainly in my own strength or even in my own mind, I am not spiritually perfect or pure, untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly. But as I thought about it I began to think about how God views me as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Because of Christ, I am sinless in the eyes of my God and Father. He knows all things but chooses not to remember my sin.
Help me, Lord, to be holy in my words, my actions and my thoughts; all my conduct. Cause Your Spirit to make me more and more sensitive to the unholy things that are present in my life so I can repent and bring glory to Your name in all things at all times.
All through the book of Exodus God speaks of things as holy. The ground where Moses was standing, the garments for the priests, the utensils and altar for the Tent of Meeting, the incense...everything connected with the worship of God was called holy by God. Then we get to Leviticus 10:3 where God says, "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy." Then we get to Leviticus 11:44 and He tells the people they are to be holy.
So I decided to look up the definition of holy. I have always heard it means set apart to God but I don't think I have ever actually looked it up. The definitions I found are 1. dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God; consecrated; sacred 2. spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; saintly 3. regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence, or adoration.
So what does it mean for me to be holy? Certainly number 3 is out. I don't deserve any awe, reverence or adoration. Number 1 seems to fit me...belonging to God because I am His child through my faith in Jesus Christ. Number 2 at first seemed to apply only to God. Certainly in my own strength or even in my own mind, I am not spiritually perfect or pure, untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly. But as I thought about it I began to think about how God views me as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Because of Christ, I am sinless in the eyes of my God and Father. He knows all things but chooses not to remember my sin.
Help me, Lord, to be holy in my words, my actions and my thoughts; all my conduct. Cause Your Spirit to make me more and more sensitive to the unholy things that are present in my life so I can repent and bring glory to Your name in all things at all times.
Peace
As I read the letters written by Paul, Peter and John, I notice that they always either begin or end their letters with a blessing of peace. What I think we, as American Christians, need to learn is that "peace" is not necessarily a condition of calm or lack of conflict.
Just about every letter in the New Testament mentions persecution either the writer or the recipients are enduring. The Roman world was very hostile to Christians at the beginning of the church age. Many faced arrest, beatings and/or death because of their stand for Christ.
Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) But He also said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
The key to peace in the midst of rising political conflict around the world, natural disaster, violence in our cities, and all the other things that cause people to fear is "IN ME". Jesus said the only way to have peace is to commit our lives to Him. Then the Spirit of the living God will bring forth His fruit in our lives - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is possible to have a life characterized by peace when the world seems to be falling apart around us, but only when our lives are in submission to Jesus Christ.
Just about every letter in the New Testament mentions persecution either the writer or the recipients are enduring. The Roman world was very hostile to Christians at the beginning of the church age. Many faced arrest, beatings and/or death because of their stand for Christ.
Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) But He also said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
The key to peace in the midst of rising political conflict around the world, natural disaster, violence in our cities, and all the other things that cause people to fear is "IN ME". Jesus said the only way to have peace is to commit our lives to Him. Then the Spirit of the living God will bring forth His fruit in our lives - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is possible to have a life characterized by peace when the world seems to be falling apart around us, but only when our lives are in submission to Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Gratitude
I don't much care for winter. I don't really like cold, windy, gray days which characterize many winter days around here. There have been all kinds of studies indicating that lack of sunlight negatively affects our moods. This year in upstate South Carolina, winter began very early. We even had a white Christmas which hasn't happened in our area since 1963. It has been a winter to remember - as cold, blustery and snowy.
So when Spring came early I was so excited. I've had 4 or 5 days over the last few weeks with heat turned off and windows open. WooHoo!! I do like the sunshine and warm (and I think God put me in the South for that reason) so it is very easy for me to have a heart full of gratitude toward God for the beautiful days, blue skies, warm sun, gentle breezes. Temperatures have been running 10 to 20 degrees above normal. That always elicits at "THANK YOU!" from me.
Today is a different story. Actually it is a "typical" March day - 55 degrees, gray skies, moderate wind, the threat of rain for the weekend. When I got up this morning, I though bah-humbug. But God just got all in my case and helped me to realize that "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
God allowed me to wake up this morning because He is not finished with me yet. That is reason to be grateful.
God provides the rain to refresh the ground and fill the reservoirs. That is reason to be grateful.
The sun is shining even if I can't see it. That is reason to be grateful.
The temperatures will be miserably hot in July and August. That is reason to be grateful for cool today.
If I let Him guide me, God will always give me reasons to be grateful no matter what my circumstances.
So when Spring came early I was so excited. I've had 4 or 5 days over the last few weeks with heat turned off and windows open. WooHoo!! I do like the sunshine and warm (and I think God put me in the South for that reason) so it is very easy for me to have a heart full of gratitude toward God for the beautiful days, blue skies, warm sun, gentle breezes. Temperatures have been running 10 to 20 degrees above normal. That always elicits at "THANK YOU!" from me.
Today is a different story. Actually it is a "typical" March day - 55 degrees, gray skies, moderate wind, the threat of rain for the weekend. When I got up this morning, I though bah-humbug. But God just got all in my case and helped me to realize that "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
God allowed me to wake up this morning because He is not finished with me yet. That is reason to be grateful.
God provides the rain to refresh the ground and fill the reservoirs. That is reason to be grateful.
The sun is shining even if I can't see it. That is reason to be grateful.
The temperatures will be miserably hot in July and August. That is reason to be grateful for cool today.
If I let Him guide me, God will always give me reasons to be grateful no matter what my circumstances.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Draw Near to God
I've just finished reading James and started not to write anything because Perry had some really good stuff to say yesterday from James and I could just take his insights as my own. But that is not what God expects me to do. I learn a lot from Perry and Steven Furtick and others...God uses them to propel me along on my journey with Him. However, I am to search the scriptures for myself and allow God to speak to me Himself. That brings me to James 4:8.
I pass a church near my home with a marquee sign out front. They currently have James 4:7 out there..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." To me this verse always seems incomplete with verse 8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
So how do I draw near to God? By reading my Bible and by prayer and by submitting to God as verse 7 says but also having a life of active faith that lives out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
The hard part of these verses for me, though, is not so much resisting the devil as drawing near to God. The even harder part can be living it out in my day to day life. Without drawing near to God, I can not live out the life of love He expects of me because I have no strength or ability without the power of God coursing through my veins and impacting my heart.
The Bible is such a precious gift, such a letter of love. God WANTS me to know Him and to know who I am because of His great love for me and what His expectations are for me as His child. My relationship with God should overshadow all other relationships and activities so that I look forward with anticipation to my time to "draw near" each day.
I pass a church near my home with a marquee sign out front. They currently have James 4:7 out there..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." To me this verse always seems incomplete with verse 8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
So how do I draw near to God? By reading my Bible and by prayer and by submitting to God as verse 7 says but also having a life of active faith that lives out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
The hard part of these verses for me, though, is not so much resisting the devil as drawing near to God. The even harder part can be living it out in my day to day life. Without drawing near to God, I can not live out the life of love He expects of me because I have no strength or ability without the power of God coursing through my veins and impacting my heart.
The Bible is such a precious gift, such a letter of love. God WANTS me to know Him and to know who I am because of His great love for me and what His expectations are for me as His child. My relationship with God should overshadow all other relationships and activities so that I look forward with anticipation to my time to "draw near" each day.
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