In his Philippian letter, Paul writes,
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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 form, 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. (Philippians 2:1-11)
This passage reminds us that God’s way of doing things is different than the world’s. Jesus didn’t establish his kingdom with an army, weapons, force, or coercion. Rather, his Kingdom is based on the Fruit of the Spirit. Love, not hate. Joy, not happiness. Peace, not war. Patience, not selfishness. Kindness, not harshness. Goodness, not evil. Faithfulness, not dishonesty. Gentleness, not cruelty. Self-control, not indulgence.
If we are going to truly be followers of Christ, God’s story must be the story that determines the direction of our lives. There are many stories competing for our attention and our devotion. Stories of pride. Stories of possessions. Stories of privilege. Stories of power. These stories seek to draw us near and pull us away from God with their promises of easy happiness.
But the reality is that only God’s story of humility and Spirit-led living will bring true joy and ultimate satisfaction. This is the story that reveals our true calling to seek and embody the character and nature of our Creator God who loves us and desires relationship with us.
shine!
Jason
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Bearing fruit
According to the dictionary, fruit is, “The ripened ovary or ovaries of a seed-bearing plant, together with accessory parts, containing the seeds and occurring in a wide variety of forms.”
The apostle Paul writes:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26)
There is an important lesson here. The Fruit of the Spirit are not something you can create on your own. We cannot simply be loving or create peace. Goodness does not come naturally to most of us all of the time. Self-control is not easy to manufacture.
The kind of fruit we bear depends on what kind of seed we plant in our lives. You cannot plant apple seeds in your backyard and expect to grow an orange tree. But, for some reason, people seem to think that they can plant seeds of sinfulness in their lives and hope to bear fruit of righteousness.
If you want to see the Fruit of the Spirit exhibited in your life, don’t start by simply trying to make outward changes. Yes, we need to make efforts to change our behavior. But, the reality is that real change, change that takes root and lasts, can only come when we examine what is watering and feeding our inner-self.
Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:33-35)
The question we have to ask ourselves is: What are we planting in our hearts? What are we allowing to shape the way we think? Are we, in the words of Paul, living and walking by the Spirit. Only when we are can we truly bear the kind of fruit in our life that God desires.
shine!
Jason
The apostle Paul writes:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26)
There is an important lesson here. The Fruit of the Spirit are not something you can create on your own. We cannot simply be loving or create peace. Goodness does not come naturally to most of us all of the time. Self-control is not easy to manufacture.
The kind of fruit we bear depends on what kind of seed we plant in our lives. You cannot plant apple seeds in your backyard and expect to grow an orange tree. But, for some reason, people seem to think that they can plant seeds of sinfulness in their lives and hope to bear fruit of righteousness.
If you want to see the Fruit of the Spirit exhibited in your life, don’t start by simply trying to make outward changes. Yes, we need to make efforts to change our behavior. But, the reality is that real change, change that takes root and lasts, can only come when we examine what is watering and feeding our inner-self.
Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:33-35)
The question we have to ask ourselves is: What are we planting in our hearts? What are we allowing to shape the way we think? Are we, in the words of Paul, living and walking by the Spirit. Only when we are can we truly bear the kind of fruit in our life that God desires.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Commitment
What are you committed to?
We all make a lot of commitments. We make commitments to friends to stand with them in good and bad. We make commitments to teams that we join. Those of us who are married make commitments to our spouse. Parents make commitments to their children. Commitments are a vital part of any relationship.
When it comes to Christianity, what are you committed to?
Are you committed to a set of ideas and beliefs? Or are you committed to a person?
If we are going to be honest, many of us are probably as committed or more committed to a set of ideas and beliefs than we are the person of God. This is why churches split and Christians are known as much for their infighting as anything else.
Early in his gospel, John writes:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13)
The Jews, who had studied what we call the Old Testament for centuries, were waiting for the Messiah to arrive, and when he did, they missed it! They had become more committed to the words of the Bible than the One whom the words of the Bible point to. Aren’t we often guilty of the same thing?
Commitment to doctrines and beliefs above commitment to the person of God leads to things like legalism and the compartmentalization of our lives. When Christianity is about a set of doctrines and beliefs, it can be a part of our lives.
When our commitment is to the person of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Christianity becomes a valued relationship that should stand above all others. It should color every aspect of our lives.
For centuries, people have used Christianity to justify murder, racism, sexism, oppression, and much more. When we think we have the right doctrine, we can find ways to justify almost anything.
Our challenge as followers of Jesus is to follow Him along a radical path of complete commitment. This may call us to reconsider every aspect of our lives. The way we think about other people. Our spending habits. How we treat others who are different. Maybe even the way we think about church.
Ask yourself this question: What is your primary commitment in life?
When I ask myself that question, if I am honest, the answer is often not what it should be. I need to focus more on my commitment to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so that every aspect of my life reflects the nature and character of God. Isn’t that what we all need to focus on more?
shine!
Jason
We all make a lot of commitments. We make commitments to friends to stand with them in good and bad. We make commitments to teams that we join. Those of us who are married make commitments to our spouse. Parents make commitments to their children. Commitments are a vital part of any relationship.
When it comes to Christianity, what are you committed to?
Are you committed to a set of ideas and beliefs? Or are you committed to a person?
If we are going to be honest, many of us are probably as committed or more committed to a set of ideas and beliefs than we are the person of God. This is why churches split and Christians are known as much for their infighting as anything else.
Early in his gospel, John writes:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13)
The Jews, who had studied what we call the Old Testament for centuries, were waiting for the Messiah to arrive, and when he did, they missed it! They had become more committed to the words of the Bible than the One whom the words of the Bible point to. Aren’t we often guilty of the same thing?
Commitment to doctrines and beliefs above commitment to the person of God leads to things like legalism and the compartmentalization of our lives. When Christianity is about a set of doctrines and beliefs, it can be a part of our lives.
When our commitment is to the person of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Christianity becomes a valued relationship that should stand above all others. It should color every aspect of our lives.
For centuries, people have used Christianity to justify murder, racism, sexism, oppression, and much more. When we think we have the right doctrine, we can find ways to justify almost anything.
Our challenge as followers of Jesus is to follow Him along a radical path of complete commitment. This may call us to reconsider every aspect of our lives. The way we think about other people. Our spending habits. How we treat others who are different. Maybe even the way we think about church.
Ask yourself this question: What is your primary commitment in life?
When I ask myself that question, if I am honest, the answer is often not what it should be. I need to focus more on my commitment to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so that every aspect of my life reflects the nature and character of God. Isn’t that what we all need to focus on more?
shine!
Jason
Saturday, January 09, 2010
The Word became flesh
I am coming home from a great week in St. Louis with my head and heart swimming in ideas and possibilities. I have been stretched and challenged both personally and with regards to our ministry. I have heard from other ministers who God is obviously speaking through.
If I had to choose one word that I am bringing home this week, I think I would choose incarnation. This idea that God lived as a man is probably best described by the Apostle John…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5,14)
One of the unique and beautiful aspects of Christianity is that God becomes one of us. He enters the world in human form to show his grace and truth.
Later in the same gospel, Jesus prays for you and me, and in that prayer he invites us to join Him, although in a different way, to be an incarnation, humans in which God lives…
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)
The beauty of God’s plan is that after God became flesh and dwelt among us, He invited man to allow God to dwell in each of us. When we are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit, we invite God to live in us, and we offer our lives as a continuation of the Jesus story.
The incarnation is more than just an amazing story about a God who chose to dwell among men. It is also an amazing story about a God who wants to live within and among us. It is your story and my story. It is our story. It is the story that is the foundation of our relationships, our community, and ultimately, the foundation of our lives.
shine!
Jason
If I had to choose one word that I am bringing home this week, I think I would choose incarnation. This idea that God lived as a man is probably best described by the Apostle John…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5,14)
One of the unique and beautiful aspects of Christianity is that God becomes one of us. He enters the world in human form to show his grace and truth.
Later in the same gospel, Jesus prays for you and me, and in that prayer he invites us to join Him, although in a different way, to be an incarnation, humans in which God lives…
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)
The beauty of God’s plan is that after God became flesh and dwelt among us, He invited man to allow God to dwell in each of us. When we are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit, we invite God to live in us, and we offer our lives as a continuation of the Jesus story.
The incarnation is more than just an amazing story about a God who chose to dwell among men. It is also an amazing story about a God who wants to live within and among us. It is your story and my story. It is our story. It is the story that is the foundation of our relationships, our community, and ultimately, the foundation of our lives.
shine!
Jason
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Plan to be resolved
Welcome to 2010!
It’s hard to believe that 2009 has already come and gone.
This is typically a time when people make resolutions to change a habit or begin a new one. Whether it’s weight loss, better time management, a change in attitude, or dozens of other aspects of life, we often make promises to ourselves and others to change something.
First, I want you to think back to January 2009. What New Year’s Resolution did you make? Did you keep it? Or did it fall to the wayside as the challenges of life piled up around you?
If you followed through, what helped you keep that resolution?
If you didn’t, what was the biggest obstacle that prevented you from following through?
Now…fast forward to today.
What is your New Year’s resolution for this year? Even if you don’t have one, what is something you would like to improve on this year?
Let me narrow things down a little more. What is your spiritual resolution for 2010?
When I say spiritual, don’t necessarily think it has to be some lofty, “churchy” thing. Sure, you could say something like read your Bible more or pray more. But it could be something much more earthy. And it probably needs to be a little more concrete than “I will ______ more.” Here are a few ideas:
• I commit to reading a chapter of the Bible with my family three times a week.
• I commit to helping my elderly neighbor by shoveling her snow and mowing her lawn for free.
• I commit to going to Cass Park every month.
• I commit to serving in the Children’s Ministry for at least three months this year.
• I commit to giving 10% of what I earn to the church and it’s ministries. (This includes for students with jobs. It’s good to develop habits early.)
• I commit to praying with my family once a week, including a time to pray for each other.
These are just a few ideas consider.
Let me challenge you to take this a step further. Plan a time as a family to sit down and share your resolutions with each other. Find ways to hold each other accountable and encourage each other. Write these down and post them somewhere in the house. (It doesn’t have to be public where visitors see.)
Take time as a family to develop a plan for growing spiritual both individually and collectively. You might be amazed what God can do.
shine!
Jason
It’s hard to believe that 2009 has already come and gone.
This is typically a time when people make resolutions to change a habit or begin a new one. Whether it’s weight loss, better time management, a change in attitude, or dozens of other aspects of life, we often make promises to ourselves and others to change something.
First, I want you to think back to January 2009. What New Year’s Resolution did you make? Did you keep it? Or did it fall to the wayside as the challenges of life piled up around you?
If you followed through, what helped you keep that resolution?
If you didn’t, what was the biggest obstacle that prevented you from following through?
Now…fast forward to today.
What is your New Year’s resolution for this year? Even if you don’t have one, what is something you would like to improve on this year?
Let me narrow things down a little more. What is your spiritual resolution for 2010?
When I say spiritual, don’t necessarily think it has to be some lofty, “churchy” thing. Sure, you could say something like read your Bible more or pray more. But it could be something much more earthy. And it probably needs to be a little more concrete than “I will ______ more.” Here are a few ideas:
• I commit to reading a chapter of the Bible with my family three times a week.
• I commit to helping my elderly neighbor by shoveling her snow and mowing her lawn for free.
• I commit to going to Cass Park every month.
• I commit to serving in the Children’s Ministry for at least three months this year.
• I commit to giving 10% of what I earn to the church and it’s ministries. (This includes for students with jobs. It’s good to develop habits early.)
• I commit to praying with my family once a week, including a time to pray for each other.
These are just a few ideas consider.
Let me challenge you to take this a step further. Plan a time as a family to sit down and share your resolutions with each other. Find ways to hold each other accountable and encourage each other. Write these down and post them somewhere in the house. (It doesn’t have to be public where visitors see.)
Take time as a family to develop a plan for growing spiritual both individually and collectively. You might be amazed what God can do.
shine!
Jason
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