TODAY'S READING: Matthew 15:1-20
Let's admit it. Every family has done it before and will do it again. If you haven't you are either perfect or dillusional. What is IT? The famous "people are coming, we haven't cleaned, so lets throw everything in that room over there" routine. You know, the one you perform when company is coming and the house isn't ready.
The guests arrive and you hope they don't ask for a tour. Please, don't open THAT door. Oh, there goes someone. You cut them off just in time and show them where the bathroom is, glad they didn't open the OTHER door.
As funny as that is when we are having company, we often try to do the same thing spiritually. And that's not so funny.
Time for church. Put on the right clothes. Drive up and get out of the car. Time to stop arguing. Put on that smile. Shove all the improper, non-church behavior away until we get back home. Hugs for everyone. Hoping someone doesn't bring up that one thing that might cause an emotional eruption.
Jesus wasn't only taking to the Pharisees in this passage in Matthew. He was talking to you and me. How we look is not nearly as important as who we are. What's on the inside is much more significant than what people see on the outside. Worship is not a matter of action, it is a matter of the heart.
Jesus challenges us to be real! Real about who we are. Real about our struggles. And real about the fact that we are really no better than anyone else.
To the religious leaders of Jesus' day, worship was about showing everyone else how "religious" they were. Real worship is an outpouring of heart struggling to be shaped by God.
Is it time for a real spiritual house-cleaning in your life? Are there some rooms you have been hiding stuff in?
We will never achieve perfection, but we cannot seriously pursue becoming Christ-like until we are willing to let God open every door of our heart and have access to every room of struggles that we deal with. Then God can help us become pure from the inside out.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Monday, February 06, 2006
Stay focused on the task
TODAY'S READING: 1 Timothy 4:6-13
Ok. So did you really think I could write a devo today without talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Well, the Super Bowl is over, the Steelers won, and I am starting to get my voice back. (If you were at the 180 Super Bowl party last night, you will understand.)
If you want to accomplish something, the only way you can really achieve it is if you avoid the distractions and focus on the task at hand. For example, yesterday both teams were focused on the task at hand. Both teams had to practice hard to get there. Both teams had experienced players who were giving advice to younger players. And I believe one of the main reasons the Steelers won was because they stayed focused on the task in the midst of adversity.
Let's be honest. If you were watching they game their offense played horrible for most for the first half. But they did not give up. They did not lose sight of the goal. They remembered what they had trained to do. They encouraged each other. And they weren't distracted by the struggles or anything else around them.
Isn't that what our walk with Jesus should look like? Isn't that what purity is?
I believe we often think of purity as simply staying away from "bad" stuff. But I believe that purity is much more. It is about staying focused on the task at hand. And if you are a follower of Christ, the task at hand is following Jesus.
And what is one of the most effective ways we do that? By being examples to each other. By modeling what Christ calls us to be. Paul offers several ideas of what that is.
What you teach.
The way you live.
Your love.
Your faith.
Your purity.
And before he gets to that point, Paul says that "physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next."
If football players spend hours and hours engaging in physical exercise, why is it we often struggle to find a few minutes each day for spiritual exercise? Is it that our real focus isn't on the most important task at hand?
If those football players practiced as much as many of us read our Bibles, pray, and share Jesus with others, they would not have had a chance to even make it to the Super Bowl. But we, who are fighting a much more vicious enemy in Satan, think that we can win with little or no exercise spiritually. It's no wonder we often give up in the midst of adversity.
I am the first to confess that I must purify my heart more. There are so many things that distract me from serving Jesus. They are not all bad. But are they best? Often the decision is not between good and evil. It is between serving the Kingdom of God and serving the kingdom of self. And when we are poisoned by the impurity of self-centered life we will often struggle to be the Jesus the world needs to see.
shine!
Jason
Stay focused on the task
TODAY'S READING: 1 Timothy 4:6-13
Ok. So did you really think I could write a devo today without talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Well, the Super Bowl is over, the Steelers won, and I am starting to get my voice back. (If you were at the 180 Super Bowl party last night, you will understand.)
If you want to accomplish something, the only way you can really achieve it is if you avoid the distractions and focus on the task at hand. For example, yesterday both teams were focused on the task at hand. Both teams had to practice hard to get there. Both teams had experienced players who were giving advice to younger players. And I believe one of the main reasons the Steelers won was because they stayed focused on the task in the midst of adversity.
Let's be honest. If you were watching they game their offense played horrible for most for the first half. But they did not give up. They did not lose sight of the goal. They remembered what they had trained to do. They encouraged each other. And they weren't distracted by the struggles or anything else around them.
Isn't that what our walk with Jesus should look like? Isn't that what purity is?
I believe we often think of purity as simply staying away from "bad" stuff. But I believe that purity is much more. It is about staying focused on the task at hand. And if you are a follower of Christ, the task at hand is following Jesus.
And what is one of the most effective ways we do that? By being examples to each other. By modeling what Christ calls us to be. Paul offers several ideas of what that is.
What you teach.
The way you live.
Your love.
Your faith.
Your purity.
And before he gets to that point, Paul says that "physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next."
If football players spend hours and hours engaging in physical exercise, why is it we often struggle to find a few minutes each day for spiritual exercise? Is it that our real focus isn't on the most important task at hand?
If those football players practiced as much as many of us read our Bibles, pray, and share Jesus with others, they would not have had a chance to even make it to the Super Bowl. But we, who are fighting a much more vicious enemy in Satan, think that we can win with little or no exercise spiritually. It's no wonder we often give up in the midst of adversity.
I am the first to confess that I must purify my heart more. There are so many things that distract me from serving Jesus. They are not all bad. But are they best? Often the decision is not between good and evil. It is between serving the Kingdom of God and serving the kingdom of self. And when we are poisoned by the impurity of self-centered life we will often struggle to be the Jesus the world needs to see.
shine!
Jason
Friday, February 03, 2006
Crock-Pot spirituality
TODAY'S READING: James 5:7-12
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
Crock-Pot spirituality
TODAY'S READING: James 5:7-12
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
I confess that I am an impatient person. If you don't believe me, ride in a car I am driving during rush hour. I struggle at times with waiting. And God continues to challenge me in that area.
That is the message of what James writes. And I love his illustration of the farmer. I worked on a farm for two summers when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. And I remember going out at 5:00am to pick sweet corn. You could barely see what you were doing, but you had to be careful.
I wanted to pick every ear of corn I saw, but I had to patient because not every ear was ready. Some still needed to finish gorwing on the stalk. And I could tell by looking at and feeling the ear if it was ready.
And I remember one particular summer when it was dry. The farmer we worked for was concerned because of the lack of rain. But eventually some rain came and the crop grew. But that year the crop was a little later than normal. The farmer couldn't harvest on his terms. He had to wait until the crops were ready.
We are so used to drive-thru's that we want everything now. We are an impatient people. And it creates unhealthy burdens.
I know my generation is guilty of this. Many of our parents saved and struggled for years before they could afford that dream house in their later years. We want a better house when we start our careers.
We push our children to perform like adults in sports, music, and many other area. We want them to become at ten what we could not achieve as adults.
In our hurriedness we often remove much of the joy from life and it isn't quite as good.
As a final example, let me talk about microwaves. I like the microwave. It's fast. It's easy. I can often cook a whole meal in mere minutes. But have you ever noticed those meals never taste quite as good?
On the other hand, take the Crock-Pot. It cooks slowly. It undergoes a prolonged period of heating and simmering. The flavor has time to work through the meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Maybe that is why we so often lack a deep relationship with God. We want a mircowave God where we press a few buttons and expect instant satisfaction and relief. But I believe God wants life to be more like a Crock-Pot.
As we struggle through difficult times we are forced to be patient and wait for the "seasoning" that only comes with time. Often God can only work when we wait on Him. He is not our prayer drive-thru.God does not say, "Would you like extra blessing with that? Have a nice day."
Will He sometimes answer prayers quickly? Yes. But more often than not we miss the blessing because we want to pick the crop before it's ready.
The next time you see your life in the rushed, microwave world and it doesn't taste as good as you think it should, remember that God often works on Crock-Pot time.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, February 02, 2006
God of comfort
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
God of comfort
TODAY'S READING: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
Scripture always seems to meet us where we are. And where we are often shapes how we see a Scripture. It is truly a time when God can speak to us in a very personal way.
This passage in 2 Corinthians became very personal to me on April 16, 1999. On that Friday almost seven years ago, my mom was killed in a car accident. It is a moment I will never forget. The memory of that phone call from my dad will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life.
But there is an equally powerful memory stamped on my mind from that experience. Paul's message in 2 Corinthians 1 was one that has brought incredible comfort from that point through today. It provided an incredible peace that was a witness to power of God during my mom's funeral.
There were many people that commented to me about how peaceful and stong I appeared in the midst of tragedy. My answer time after time had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with God. He was my strength. He was my comfort. He was my Rock.
He still is all of those things and more. And over the last seven years, God has shown over and over again the meaning of this passage. God has allowed Michelle and me to use our tragedy (which also includes the death of Michelle's mom in July of 1999) to bring comfort to others who are suffering similar tragedies.
As we experience suffering in life, we must always ask this important question. God, how can I use this to minister to others?
Throughout His life, Jesus was all about serving others. And on the cross, during the ultimate suffering, Jesus was thinking about others.
"Father, forgive them."
In His time of suffering, Jesus wanted to bring comfort to others. And in the end, He has brought healing to people all over the world for generations.
We live in a "victim" culture where many people want others to feel sorry for them. How powerful of a witness will it be if we can escape that mentality and use our difficulties to help others? If we can find opportunities in our lives to use our struggles to comfort others, how many lives could we touch for the cause of the Christ?
shine!
Jason
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Don't give up
TODAY'S READING: 2 Timothy 2:1-13
OK, I have done a pretty good job of staying away from sports analogies, but today it is unavoidable. This morning I met Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, you read that right. (I have the autographed football and picture to prove it.) Anyway, back to my message today. When I look at Ben's career in the playoffs, it reminds me of what Paul write about in today's reading.
I think that Paul's bottom line is this...don't give up! Don't ever give up. Times will be tough. You will face struggles. But no matter what comes your way, stay faithful to God.
You may ask, what does that have to do with Ben. Well, here is my analogy. Last season Ben played horribly in the playoffs. The first win was lucky and the loss was deserved. At that point Ben could have just said "I give up" and his career could have gone downhill. Rather, he decided to come back, trust in his coaches, and you see where he is today.
In our walk with Jesus we will undoubtably have bad seasons in life. There will be times we feel like we keep getting knocked down. Paul's message to Timothy is to keep getting up and trust in God.
Even when we feel like giving up, God never will.
When we want to stay down, God reaches out to pick us up.
If your wisdom and abilities seem to fall short, God is there to show us a better way.
So if you need an modern example of what can happen when we never give up, look at Big Ben. He is probably not the best example and I realize football is just a sport, but his comeback has been impressive.
Just remember that no matter how much or little faith you have in God, God will always be faithful to you. If we endure through good times and bad, we will be with God forever. And that is far better than any Super Bowl victory.
shine!
Jason
Don't give up
TODAY'S READING: 2 Timothy 2:1-13
OK, I have done a pretty good job of staying away from sports analogies, but today it is unavoidable. This morning I met Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, you read that right. (I have the autographed football and picture to prove it.) Anyway, back to my message today. When I look at Ben's career in the playoffs, it reminds me of what Paul write about in today's reading.
I think that Paul's bottom line is this...don't give up! Don't ever give up. Times will be tough. You will face struggles. But no matter what comes your way, stay faithful to God.
You may ask, what does that have to do with Ben. Well, here is my analogy. Last season Ben played horribly in the playoffs. The first win was lucky and the loss was deserved. At that point Ben could have just said "I give up" and his career could have gone downhill. Rather, he decided to come back, trust in his coaches, and you see where he is today.
In our walk with Jesus we will undoubtably have bad seasons in life. There will be times we feel like we keep getting knocked down. Paul's message to Timothy is to keep getting up and trust in God.
Even when we feel like giving up, God never will.
When we want to stay down, God reaches out to pick us up.
If your wisdom and abilities seem to fall short, God is there to show us a better way.
So if you need an modern example of what can happen when we never give up, look at Big Ben. He is probably not the best example and I realize football is just a sport, but his comeback has been impressive.
Just remember that no matter how much or little faith you have in God, God will always be faithful to you. If we endure through good times and bad, we will be with God forever. And that is far better than any Super Bowl victory.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Faith brings peace
TODAY'S READING: Romans 5:1-5
When I read this passage, I am amazed by God's love.
I amazed that a God that was, is, and always will be perfect was the One who took the first step. He didn't have to. We are the ones who sinned against Him. We are the ones who turned our back on our Creator. We deserve none of this.
But here we read of our God. The God that not only loved us in word, but in action. The God that was willing to put on flesh and become like one of us. The God that was willing to suffer pain and agony to bring us sinful, rebellious people peace with Him.
Is that crazy? YES!
So when we suffer is it difficult? Or course. But is it any more difficult than being the Creator of the universe and watching your creation murder your Son that you sent in love?
That is a fundamental reason why suffering builds faith. It makes us more like God and can cause us to see things more from His perspective.
And in the last verse of this passage, we see God doing something even more crazy. It was wild enough that God was willing to take the risk to become flesh and live among us. Imagine how uncomfortable it was for Jesus to walk in a sinful world among sinful people.
Now comes an even bigger step for God. He is willing to enter your body and mine when we become Christians. That's right, God Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in a sinful body.
At least with Jesus, God could keep Himself pure. Now God is taking the risk of living in a body that does sin. God is willing to endure the pain He experiences every time we disobey. It is both encouraging and scary.
When you lied, the Holy Spirit had to be a part of it.
When you cheated, the Holy Spirit was there to go through it.
When you gossiped, the Holy Spirit had to listen.
When you lusted, the Holy Spirit was pained.
But the true purpose of the Holy Spirit is much more. God wants to fill us with His love. And so as we face problems and trials God knows that we are not alone. He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us so we can have a Helper along the way.
Man, I love my God!
He created me.
He came to earth for me.
He climbed into my body so I could be filled with His love.
That makes we want to jump and shout no matter how bad life gets!
The next time life seems to get you down, remember that Christians have God living in them to help them. Sure, it isn't always easy, but when we learn to trust in God both now and for eternity, we will always find every experience bringing us a little closer to Him.
shine!
Jason
When I read this passage, I am amazed by God's love.
I amazed that a God that was, is, and always will be perfect was the One who took the first step. He didn't have to. We are the ones who sinned against Him. We are the ones who turned our back on our Creator. We deserve none of this.
But here we read of our God. The God that not only loved us in word, but in action. The God that was willing to put on flesh and become like one of us. The God that was willing to suffer pain and agony to bring us sinful, rebellious people peace with Him.
Is that crazy? YES!
So when we suffer is it difficult? Or course. But is it any more difficult than being the Creator of the universe and watching your creation murder your Son that you sent in love?
That is a fundamental reason why suffering builds faith. It makes us more like God and can cause us to see things more from His perspective.
And in the last verse of this passage, we see God doing something even more crazy. It was wild enough that God was willing to take the risk to become flesh and live among us. Imagine how uncomfortable it was for Jesus to walk in a sinful world among sinful people.
Now comes an even bigger step for God. He is willing to enter your body and mine when we become Christians. That's right, God Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in a sinful body.
At least with Jesus, God could keep Himself pure. Now God is taking the risk of living in a body that does sin. God is willing to endure the pain He experiences every time we disobey. It is both encouraging and scary.
When you lied, the Holy Spirit had to be a part of it.
When you cheated, the Holy Spirit was there to go through it.
When you gossiped, the Holy Spirit had to listen.
When you lusted, the Holy Spirit was pained.
But the true purpose of the Holy Spirit is much more. God wants to fill us with His love. And so as we face problems and trials God knows that we are not alone. He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us so we can have a Helper along the way.
Man, I love my God!
He created me.
He came to earth for me.
He climbed into my body so I could be filled with His love.
That makes we want to jump and shout no matter how bad life gets!
The next time life seems to get you down, remember that Christians have God living in them to help them. Sure, it isn't always easy, but when we learn to trust in God both now and for eternity, we will always find every experience bringing us a little closer to Him.
shine!
Jason
Faith brings peace
TODAY'S READING: Romans 5:1-5
When I read this passage, I am amazed by God's love.
I amazed that a God that was, is, and always will be perfect was the One who took the first step. He didn't have to. We are the ones who sinned against Him. We are the ones who turned our back on our Creator. We deserve none of this.
But here we read of our God. The God that not only loved us in word, but in action. The God that was willing to put on flesh and become like one of us. The God that was willing to suffer pain and agony to bring us sinful, rebellious people peace with Him.
Is that crazy? YES!
So when we suffer is it difficult? Or course. But is it any more difficult than being the Creator of the universe and watching your creation murder your Son that you sent in love?
That is a fundamental reason why suffering builds faith. It makes us more like God and can cause us to see things more from His perspective.
And in the last verse of this passage, we see God doing something even more crazy. It was wild enough that God was willing to take the risk to become flesh and live among us. Imagine how uncomfortable it was for Jesus to walk in a sinful world among sinful people.
Now comes an even bigger step for God. He is willing to enter your body and mine when we become Christians. That's right, God Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in a sinful body.
At least with Jesus, God could keep Himself pure. Now God is taking the risk of living in a body that does sin. God is willing to endure the pain He experiences every time we disobey. It is both encouraging and scary.
When you lied, the Holy Spirit had to be a part of it.
When you cheated, the Holy Spirit was there to go through it.
When you gossiped, the Holy Spirit had to listen.
When you lusted, the Holy Spirit was pained.
But the true purpose of the Holy Spirit is much more. God wants to fill us with His love. And so as we face problems and trials God knows that we are not alone. He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us so we can have a Helper along the way.
Man, I love my God!
He created me.
He came to earth for me.
He climbed into my body so I could be filled with His love.
That makes we want to jump and shout no matter how bad life gets!
The next time life seems to get you down, remember that Christians have God living in them to help them. Sure, it isn't always easy, but when we learn to trust in God both now and for eternity, we will always find every experience bringing us a little closer to Him.
shine!
Jason
When I read this passage, I am amazed by God's love.
I amazed that a God that was, is, and always will be perfect was the One who took the first step. He didn't have to. We are the ones who sinned against Him. We are the ones who turned our back on our Creator. We deserve none of this.
But here we read of our God. The God that not only loved us in word, but in action. The God that was willing to put on flesh and become like one of us. The God that was willing to suffer pain and agony to bring us sinful, rebellious people peace with Him.
Is that crazy? YES!
So when we suffer is it difficult? Or course. But is it any more difficult than being the Creator of the universe and watching your creation murder your Son that you sent in love?
That is a fundamental reason why suffering builds faith. It makes us more like God and can cause us to see things more from His perspective.
And in the last verse of this passage, we see God doing something even more crazy. It was wild enough that God was willing to take the risk to become flesh and live among us. Imagine how uncomfortable it was for Jesus to walk in a sinful world among sinful people.
Now comes an even bigger step for God. He is willing to enter your body and mine when we become Christians. That's right, God Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit lives in a sinful body.
At least with Jesus, God could keep Himself pure. Now God is taking the risk of living in a body that does sin. God is willing to endure the pain He experiences every time we disobey. It is both encouraging and scary.
When you lied, the Holy Spirit had to be a part of it.
When you cheated, the Holy Spirit was there to go through it.
When you gossiped, the Holy Spirit had to listen.
When you lusted, the Holy Spirit was pained.
But the true purpose of the Holy Spirit is much more. God wants to fill us with His love. And so as we face problems and trials God knows that we are not alone. He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us so we can have a Helper along the way.
Man, I love my God!
He created me.
He came to earth for me.
He climbed into my body so I could be filled with His love.
That makes we want to jump and shout no matter how bad life gets!
The next time life seems to get you down, remember that Christians have God living in them to help them. Sure, it isn't always easy, but when we learn to trust in God both now and for eternity, we will always find every experience bringing us a little closer to Him.
shine!
Jason
Monday, January 30, 2006
Real and lasting joy
TODAY'S READING: James 1:2-18
You know what? I don't like difficult times. Do you? Most of us don't.
I don't think God likes us to have difficult times, but I know that He uses them to help us grow. The bottom line is that God wants us to rely on Him in difficult times. But we want to find comfort everywhere else.
It could be our material goods. Or food. Maybe it's physical pleasure. We might seek comfort in alcohol or drugs. Sometimes it's just the noise of life. But we all seek comfort from the difficulties of life. And we often look in the wrong place.God wants us to look to Him.
James calls it an opportunity for joy. The joy only found in God. The joy not found in the things of this world, but only in the things of His kingdom.
God doesn't put temptation in our life to test us. It is our selfish desires that cause temptation to bring us down. It is the "quick fix" of earthly happiness that robs us of the joy of godliness.
We live in a culture that wants everything now. We use credit cards to buy things we really can't afford. We have relationships that rush into a false sense of intimacy. We buy the book that gives us the easy remedy to (fill in the blank). We buy that car/house/clothing/whatever it is that will make us feel better about ourselves because of the name on the label. We hang around with friends that have shallow relationships with us but make us feel "popular." We consume food or drugs that make us feel better for the moment.
I would imagine you can relate to at least one thing (if not many) in the list above. I know I can. We have been poisoned by our culture to turn away from God and trust in the stuff this world offers. It's in our hallways. It's on the television. In the movies. It surrounds us and seeps into our soul.
But James gets right to the point at the end of this passage and hits us right between the eyes.
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession. (James 1:17-18)
Those clothes you just bought. Out of style next year.
The car you drive. It will be on a used car lot in a few years.
The friends that are not real friends. They may turn their back on you next week when it fits their needs.
The addiction that brings you comfort. You will need more next month just to get the same pleasure.
The debt you have accumulated. You will spend more as you try to ease the pressure and keep up with your peers.
As bad as that sounds, there is an answer.
Look to the One who is good and perfect.
Look to the One who never changes.
Look to the One who created us.
Look to the One who considers you His choice possession.
The message is clear. Let go of the things that possess you and grab on to the God who loved you enough to give His Son so He could have a real relationship with you. That is the source of real joy.
shine!
Jason
You know what? I don't like difficult times. Do you? Most of us don't.
I don't think God likes us to have difficult times, but I know that He uses them to help us grow. The bottom line is that God wants us to rely on Him in difficult times. But we want to find comfort everywhere else.
It could be our material goods. Or food. Maybe it's physical pleasure. We might seek comfort in alcohol or drugs. Sometimes it's just the noise of life. But we all seek comfort from the difficulties of life. And we often look in the wrong place.God wants us to look to Him.
James calls it an opportunity for joy. The joy only found in God. The joy not found in the things of this world, but only in the things of His kingdom.
God doesn't put temptation in our life to test us. It is our selfish desires that cause temptation to bring us down. It is the "quick fix" of earthly happiness that robs us of the joy of godliness.
We live in a culture that wants everything now. We use credit cards to buy things we really can't afford. We have relationships that rush into a false sense of intimacy. We buy the book that gives us the easy remedy to (fill in the blank). We buy that car/house/clothing/whatever it is that will make us feel better about ourselves because of the name on the label. We hang around with friends that have shallow relationships with us but make us feel "popular." We consume food or drugs that make us feel better for the moment.
I would imagine you can relate to at least one thing (if not many) in the list above. I know I can. We have been poisoned by our culture to turn away from God and trust in the stuff this world offers. It's in our hallways. It's on the television. In the movies. It surrounds us and seeps into our soul.
But James gets right to the point at the end of this passage and hits us right between the eyes.
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession. (James 1:17-18)
Those clothes you just bought. Out of style next year.
The car you drive. It will be on a used car lot in a few years.
The friends that are not real friends. They may turn their back on you next week when it fits their needs.
The addiction that brings you comfort. You will need more next month just to get the same pleasure.
The debt you have accumulated. You will spend more as you try to ease the pressure and keep up with your peers.
As bad as that sounds, there is an answer.
Look to the One who is good and perfect.
Look to the One who never changes.
Look to the One who created us.
Look to the One who considers you His choice possession.
The message is clear. Let go of the things that possess you and grab on to the God who loved you enough to give His Son so He could have a real relationship with you. That is the source of real joy.
shine!
Jason
Real and lasting joy
TODAY'S READING: James 1:2-18
You know what? I don't like difficult times. Do you? Most of us don't.
I don't think God likes us to have difficult times, but I know that He uses them to help us grow. The bottom line is that God wants us to rely on Him in difficult times. But we want to find comfort everywhere else.
It could be our material goods. Or food. Maybe it's physical pleasure. We might seek comfort in alcohol or drugs. Sometimes it's just the noise of life. But we all seek comfort from the difficulties of life. And we often look in the wrong place.God wants us to look to Him.
James calls it an opportunity for joy. The joy only found in God. The joy not found in the things of this world, but only in the things of His kingdom.
God doesn't put temptation in our life to test us. It is our selfish desires that cause temptation to bring us down. It is the "quick fix" of earthly happiness that robs us of the joy of godliness.
We live in a culture that wants everything now. We use credit cards to buy things we really can't afford. We have relationships that rush into a false sense of intimacy. We buy the book that gives us the easy remedy to (fill in the blank). We buy that car/house/clothing/whatever it is that will make us feel better about ourselves because of the name on the label. We hang around with friends that have shallow relationships with us but make us feel "popular." We consume food or drugs that make us feel better for the moment.
I would imagine you can relate to at least one thing (if not many) in the list above. I know I can. We have been poisoned by our culture to turn away from God and trust in the stuff this world offers. It's in our hallways. It's on the television. In the movies. It surrounds us and seeps into our soul.
But James gets right to the point at the end of this passage and hits us right between the eyes.
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession. (James 1:17-18)
Those clothes you just bought. Out of style next year.
The car you drive. It will be on a used car lot in a few years.
The friends that are not real friends. They may turn their back on you next week when it fits their needs.
The addiction that brings you comfort. You will need more next month just to get the same pleasure.
The debt you have accumulated. You will spend more as you try to ease the pressure and keep up with your peers.
As bad as that sounds, there is an answer.
Look to the One who is good and perfect.
Look to the One who never changes.
Look to the One who created us.
Look to the One who considers you His choice possession.
The message is clear. Let go of the things that possess you and grab on to the God who loved you enough to give His Son so He could have a real relationship with you. That is the source of real joy.
shine!
Jason
You know what? I don't like difficult times. Do you? Most of us don't.
I don't think God likes us to have difficult times, but I know that He uses them to help us grow. The bottom line is that God wants us to rely on Him in difficult times. But we want to find comfort everywhere else.
It could be our material goods. Or food. Maybe it's physical pleasure. We might seek comfort in alcohol or drugs. Sometimes it's just the noise of life. But we all seek comfort from the difficulties of life. And we often look in the wrong place.God wants us to look to Him.
James calls it an opportunity for joy. The joy only found in God. The joy not found in the things of this world, but only in the things of His kingdom.
God doesn't put temptation in our life to test us. It is our selfish desires that cause temptation to bring us down. It is the "quick fix" of earthly happiness that robs us of the joy of godliness.
We live in a culture that wants everything now. We use credit cards to buy things we really can't afford. We have relationships that rush into a false sense of intimacy. We buy the book that gives us the easy remedy to (fill in the blank). We buy that car/house/clothing/whatever it is that will make us feel better about ourselves because of the name on the label. We hang around with friends that have shallow relationships with us but make us feel "popular." We consume food or drugs that make us feel better for the moment.
I would imagine you can relate to at least one thing (if not many) in the list above. I know I can. We have been poisoned by our culture to turn away from God and trust in the stuff this world offers. It's in our hallways. It's on the television. In the movies. It surrounds us and seeps into our soul.
But James gets right to the point at the end of this passage and hits us right between the eyes.
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession. (James 1:17-18)
Those clothes you just bought. Out of style next year.
The car you drive. It will be on a used car lot in a few years.
The friends that are not real friends. They may turn their back on you next week when it fits their needs.
The addiction that brings you comfort. You will need more next month just to get the same pleasure.
The debt you have accumulated. You will spend more as you try to ease the pressure and keep up with your peers.
As bad as that sounds, there is an answer.
Look to the One who is good and perfect.
Look to the One who never changes.
Look to the One who created us.
Look to the One who considers you His choice possession.
The message is clear. Let go of the things that possess you and grab on to the God who loved you enough to give His Son so He could have a real relationship with you. That is the source of real joy.
shine!
Jason
Friday, January 27, 2006
Do you believe?
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 9:27-34
Belief, true belief, in Jesus is more than acknowledging who He is. It's about taking action that shows you believe who He is. As a matter of fact, James wrote, "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" (James 2:19)
The men in this Matthew passage believed in Jesus enough that they were willing to follow Him "blindly" wherever He went. They were willing to go with Jesus not just because they believed who He was, but because they knew the power He had.
Maybe the reason we are often unwilling to completely follow Jesus is because we don't accept the power He has.
And here is an even more challenging thought. Are we unwilling to accept His power because we don't want to surrender control of our own lives?
If we are going to allow the power of God to fully work through our lives we must be willing to surrender control. We must be willing to let go and follow Jesus "blindly." This doesn't mean we stop thinking and following Him foolishly. But we must be willing to trust Him and follow Him even if we may not see where He is leading.
One of the greatest adventures in life is following Jesus. The trip may not always be smooth and the path is not always clear, but there is no one besides Jesus that I would trust to guide me through this journey called life.
shine!
Jason
Belief, true belief, in Jesus is more than acknowledging who He is. It's about taking action that shows you believe who He is. As a matter of fact, James wrote, "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" (James 2:19)
The men in this Matthew passage believed in Jesus enough that they were willing to follow Him "blindly" wherever He went. They were willing to go with Jesus not just because they believed who He was, but because they knew the power He had.
Maybe the reason we are often unwilling to completely follow Jesus is because we don't accept the power He has.
And here is an even more challenging thought. Are we unwilling to accept His power because we don't want to surrender control of our own lives?
If we are going to allow the power of God to fully work through our lives we must be willing to surrender control. We must be willing to let go and follow Jesus "blindly." This doesn't mean we stop thinking and following Him foolishly. But we must be willing to trust Him and follow Him even if we may not see where He is leading.
One of the greatest adventures in life is following Jesus. The trip may not always be smooth and the path is not always clear, but there is no one besides Jesus that I would trust to guide me through this journey called life.
shine!
Jason
Do you believe?
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 9:27-34
Belief, true belief, in Jesus is more than acknowledging who He is. It's about taking action that shows you believe who He is. As a matter of fact, James wrote, "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" (James 2:19)
The men in this Matthew passage believed in Jesus enough that they were willing to follow Him "blindly" wherever He went. They were willing to go with Jesus not just because they believed who He was, but because they knew the power He had.
Maybe the reason we are often unwilling to completely follow Jesus is because we don't accept the power He has.
And here is an even more challenging thought. Are we unwilling to accept His power because we don't want to surrender control of our own lives?
If we are going to allow the power of God to fully work through our lives we must be willing to surrender control. We must be willing to let go and follow Jesus "blindly." This doesn't mean we stop thinking and following Him foolishly. But we must be willing to trust Him and follow Him even if we may not see where He is leading.
One of the greatest adventures in life is following Jesus. The trip may not always be smooth and the path is not always clear, but there is no one besides Jesus that I would trust to guide me through this journey called life.
shine!
Jason
Belief, true belief, in Jesus is more than acknowledging who He is. It's about taking action that shows you believe who He is. As a matter of fact, James wrote, "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!" (James 2:19)
The men in this Matthew passage believed in Jesus enough that they were willing to follow Him "blindly" wherever He went. They were willing to go with Jesus not just because they believed who He was, but because they knew the power He had.
Maybe the reason we are often unwilling to completely follow Jesus is because we don't accept the power He has.
And here is an even more challenging thought. Are we unwilling to accept His power because we don't want to surrender control of our own lives?
If we are going to allow the power of God to fully work through our lives we must be willing to surrender control. We must be willing to let go and follow Jesus "blindly." This doesn't mean we stop thinking and following Him foolishly. But we must be willing to trust Him and follow Him even if we may not see where He is leading.
One of the greatest adventures in life is following Jesus. The trip may not always be smooth and the path is not always clear, but there is no one besides Jesus that I would trust to guide me through this journey called life.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, January 26, 2006
We all need Jesus
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 9:18-26
I find it interesting how certain situations remove the barriers between different classes of people. I still remember on September 11, 2001, when people of all races, income levels, political parties, and more, came together.
It seems that in tragedy we are all faced with the reality of life. Sure, when times are good we can hide behind the false security of our earthly belongings. Money can buy happiness, but it is only temporary. And we often use it as a barrier to "protect" us from those who may not be a well off as we are.
We see in Jesus' encounter with these two people from different places in society that we all need Him. First we see the leader of a synagogue. Here is a man who is "high society." He probably wears all the right clothes and lives in the right neighborhood. People all over town would have looked up to Him. But in this man's time of need he turns to Jesus.
Right in the midst of this encounter we meet the bleeding woman. She would have been an outcast. With her medical problems she would have been considered unclean and unable to enjoy full involvement in her Jewish community. The leader of the synagogue would have likely had nothing to do with her.
So how much more powerful does this make Jesus' action when He puts the needs of the woman before the leader of the synagogue? In the end Jesus helps both of them, but He also makes a statement. Jesus doesn't care where we are in society. He isn't impressed with our titles or position. As a matter of fact, He favors the woman who would be considered "lowly" to most.
Our faith calls us to do much more than meet with people like us and encourage our own little group. Faith in Jesus challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. Actually, Jesus demands that we do this.
James speaks of this struggle that we face...
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?
For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law. (James 2:1-9)
Our neighbor is not just the person next to us that lives in a house like us, drives a car like us, and wears clothes like us. Our neighbor is anyone we encounter in life.
Many of us struggle with how to deal with people who are "different" than us. We are comfortable in our own group. We like how easy it is to be with people like us. But if we are truly faithful followers of the Christ we must follow His example and turn the world's rankings upside down.
When we are willing to tear down barriers the world has created then we can truly bring the love of Jesus to our world. Until we are willing to get uncomfortable and reach out to others Jesus will not be able to fully shine through our lives. It won't be until we realize everyone needs Jesus that we will serve everyone for Him.
shine!
Jason
I find it interesting how certain situations remove the barriers between different classes of people. I still remember on September 11, 2001, when people of all races, income levels, political parties, and more, came together.
It seems that in tragedy we are all faced with the reality of life. Sure, when times are good we can hide behind the false security of our earthly belongings. Money can buy happiness, but it is only temporary. And we often use it as a barrier to "protect" us from those who may not be a well off as we are.
We see in Jesus' encounter with these two people from different places in society that we all need Him. First we see the leader of a synagogue. Here is a man who is "high society." He probably wears all the right clothes and lives in the right neighborhood. People all over town would have looked up to Him. But in this man's time of need he turns to Jesus.
Right in the midst of this encounter we meet the bleeding woman. She would have been an outcast. With her medical problems she would have been considered unclean and unable to enjoy full involvement in her Jewish community. The leader of the synagogue would have likely had nothing to do with her.
So how much more powerful does this make Jesus' action when He puts the needs of the woman before the leader of the synagogue? In the end Jesus helps both of them, but He also makes a statement. Jesus doesn't care where we are in society. He isn't impressed with our titles or position. As a matter of fact, He favors the woman who would be considered "lowly" to most.
Our faith calls us to do much more than meet with people like us and encourage our own little group. Faith in Jesus challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. Actually, Jesus demands that we do this.
James speaks of this struggle that we face...
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?
For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law. (James 2:1-9)
Our neighbor is not just the person next to us that lives in a house like us, drives a car like us, and wears clothes like us. Our neighbor is anyone we encounter in life.
Many of us struggle with how to deal with people who are "different" than us. We are comfortable in our own group. We like how easy it is to be with people like us. But if we are truly faithful followers of the Christ we must follow His example and turn the world's rankings upside down.
When we are willing to tear down barriers the world has created then we can truly bring the love of Jesus to our world. Until we are willing to get uncomfortable and reach out to others Jesus will not be able to fully shine through our lives. It won't be until we realize everyone needs Jesus that we will serve everyone for Him.
shine!
Jason
We all need Jesus
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 9:18-26
I find it interesting how certain situations remove the barriers between different classes of people. I still remember on September 11, 2001, when people of all races, income levels, political parties, and more, came together.
It seems that in tragedy we are all faced with the reality of life. Sure, when times are good we can hide behind the false security of our earthly belongings. Money can buy happiness, but it is only temporary. And we often use it as a barrier to "protect" us from those who may not be a well off as we are.
We see in Jesus' encounter with these two people from different places in society that we all need Him. First we see the leader of a synagogue. Here is a man who is "high society." He probably wears all the right clothes and lives in the right neighborhood. People all over town would have looked up to Him. But in this man's time of need he turns to Jesus.
Right in the midst of this encounter we meet the bleeding woman. She would have been an outcast. With her medical problems she would have been considered unclean and unable to enjoy full involvement in her Jewish community. The leader of the synagogue would have likely had nothing to do with her.
So how much more powerful does this make Jesus' action when He puts the needs of the woman before the leader of the synagogue? In the end Jesus helps both of them, but He also makes a statement. Jesus doesn't care where we are in society. He isn't impressed with our titles or position. As a matter of fact, He favors the woman who would be considered "lowly" to most.
Our faith calls us to do much more than meet with people like us and encourage our own little group. Faith in Jesus challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. Actually, Jesus demands that we do this.
James speaks of this struggle that we face...
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?
For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law. (James 2:1-9)
Our neighbor is not just the person next to us that lives in a house like us, drives a car like us, and wears clothes like us. Our neighbor is anyone we encounter in life.
Many of us struggle with how to deal with people who are "different" than us. We are comfortable in our own group. We like how easy it is to be with people like us. But if we are truly faithful followers of the Christ we must follow His example and turn the world's rankings upside down.
When we are willing to tear down barriers the world has created then we can truly bring the love of Jesus to our world. Until we are willing to get uncomfortable and reach out to others Jesus will not be able to fully shine through our lives. It won't be until we realize everyone needs Jesus that we will serve everyone for Him.
shine!
Jason
I find it interesting how certain situations remove the barriers between different classes of people. I still remember on September 11, 2001, when people of all races, income levels, political parties, and more, came together.
It seems that in tragedy we are all faced with the reality of life. Sure, when times are good we can hide behind the false security of our earthly belongings. Money can buy happiness, but it is only temporary. And we often use it as a barrier to "protect" us from those who may not be a well off as we are.
We see in Jesus' encounter with these two people from different places in society that we all need Him. First we see the leader of a synagogue. Here is a man who is "high society." He probably wears all the right clothes and lives in the right neighborhood. People all over town would have looked up to Him. But in this man's time of need he turns to Jesus.
Right in the midst of this encounter we meet the bleeding woman. She would have been an outcast. With her medical problems she would have been considered unclean and unable to enjoy full involvement in her Jewish community. The leader of the synagogue would have likely had nothing to do with her.
So how much more powerful does this make Jesus' action when He puts the needs of the woman before the leader of the synagogue? In the end Jesus helps both of them, but He also makes a statement. Jesus doesn't care where we are in society. He isn't impressed with our titles or position. As a matter of fact, He favors the woman who would be considered "lowly" to most.
Our faith calls us to do much more than meet with people like us and encourage our own little group. Faith in Jesus challenges us to step out of our comfort zone. Actually, Jesus demands that we do this.
James speaks of this struggle that we face...
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?
For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law. (James 2:1-9)
Our neighbor is not just the person next to us that lives in a house like us, drives a car like us, and wears clothes like us. Our neighbor is anyone we encounter in life.
Many of us struggle with how to deal with people who are "different" than us. We are comfortable in our own group. We like how easy it is to be with people like us. But if we are truly faithful followers of the Christ we must follow His example and turn the world's rankings upside down.
When we are willing to tear down barriers the world has created then we can truly bring the love of Jesus to our world. Until we are willing to get uncomfortable and reach out to others Jesus will not be able to fully shine through our lives. It won't be until we realize everyone needs Jesus that we will serve everyone for Him.
shine!
Jason
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
In the midst of the storm
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 8:23-27
Deserted.
Detached.
Defeated.
Down.
Discouraged.
Death.
Divorce.
Darkness.
We have all been there at some point. All of us face storms in life. All of us have times where there seems to be no hope. You feel like you are drowning in the worries of life.
Jesus offers calm in the midst of the storm. When we look at thestorm instead of trusting in Jesus we miss His presence. He wants tobe there to bring peace and comfort.
Jesus will not always take the storm away, but He will always bethere in the storm. One of my favorite songs speaks so well of how Jesus is there for us in the storms of life. Here are the lyrics tothis Scott Krippayne song...
All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be stillHe can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
-----
If we stay near Christ He will be there for us. He never leaves us,but sometimes we forget that He is there. We look at the wind andwaves that life brings our way and panic. Jesus hopes we will noticeHim there in the boat with us and trust that He is in control.
Faith is more than acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. It involves thewillingness to trust Him with all of your life. It calls us to stopfocusing on the storms and fix our eyes on the One who can bringcalm to any storm.
shine!
Jason
Deserted.
Detached.
Defeated.
Down.
Discouraged.
Death.
Divorce.
Darkness.
We have all been there at some point. All of us face storms in life. All of us have times where there seems to be no hope. You feel like you are drowning in the worries of life.
Jesus offers calm in the midst of the storm. When we look at thestorm instead of trusting in Jesus we miss His presence. He wants tobe there to bring peace and comfort.
Jesus will not always take the storm away, but He will always bethere in the storm. One of my favorite songs speaks so well of how Jesus is there for us in the storms of life. Here are the lyrics tothis Scott Krippayne song...
All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be stillHe can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
-----
If we stay near Christ He will be there for us. He never leaves us,but sometimes we forget that He is there. We look at the wind andwaves that life brings our way and panic. Jesus hopes we will noticeHim there in the boat with us and trust that He is in control.
Faith is more than acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. It involves thewillingness to trust Him with all of your life. It calls us to stopfocusing on the storms and fix our eyes on the One who can bringcalm to any storm.
shine!
Jason
In the midst of the storm
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 8:23-27
Deserted.
Detached.
Defeated.
Down.
Discouraged.
Death.
Divorce.
Darkness.
We have all been there at some point. All of us face storms in life. All of us have times where there seems to be no hope. You feel like you are drowning in the worries of life.
Jesus offers calm in the midst of the storm. When we look at thestorm instead of trusting in Jesus we miss His presence. He wants tobe there to bring peace and comfort.
Jesus will not always take the storm away, but He will always bethere in the storm. One of my favorite songs speaks so well of how Jesus is there for us in the storms of life. Here are the lyrics tothis Scott Krippayne song...
All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be stillHe can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
-----
If we stay near Christ He will be there for us. He never leaves us,but sometimes we forget that He is there. We look at the wind andwaves that life brings our way and panic. Jesus hopes we will noticeHim there in the boat with us and trust that He is in control.
Faith is more than acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. It involves thewillingness to trust Him with all of your life. It calls us to stopfocusing on the storms and fix our eyes on the One who can bringcalm to any storm.
shine!
Jason
Deserted.
Detached.
Defeated.
Down.
Discouraged.
Death.
Divorce.
Darkness.
We have all been there at some point. All of us face storms in life. All of us have times where there seems to be no hope. You feel like you are drowning in the worries of life.
Jesus offers calm in the midst of the storm. When we look at thestorm instead of trusting in Jesus we miss His presence. He wants tobe there to bring peace and comfort.
Jesus will not always take the storm away, but He will always bethere in the storm. One of my favorite songs speaks so well of how Jesus is there for us in the storms of life. Here are the lyrics tothis Scott Krippayne song...
All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be stillHe can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
-----
If we stay near Christ He will be there for us. He never leaves us,but sometimes we forget that He is there. We look at the wind andwaves that life brings our way and panic. Jesus hopes we will noticeHim there in the boat with us and trust that He is in control.
Faith is more than acknowledging that Jesus is Lord. It involves thewillingness to trust Him with all of your life. It calls us to stopfocusing on the storms and fix our eyes on the One who can bringcalm to any storm.
shine!
Jason
Monday, January 23, 2006
I am not worthy
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 8:5-13
I am so amazed at the humility of the Roman officer. Here is a man with great power in the military who realizes his real place in the world. He may be able to control his soldiers, but he has no real control in this thing called life.
This man understands the power that Jesus has. He knows that with a word Jesus can heal his servant. He comes to Jesus acknowledging that only Jesus can handle this. And Jesus compliments this man's faith.
I don't know about you, but I struggle with having faith like this. So often I think I can handle it on my own. "Don't worry Jesus, I've got this one under control." Ever say that? Those may not have been the words you used, but is that what you believe at times?
I firmly believe that so often we accomplish less than we could for God not because He doesn't have the power. Rather, we are unwilling to trust Him to do what He has all the ability to do.
We like to have God in a little box where He does things on our terms. He gets involved in our life when we want Him to. We are able to keep Him put away when we do things the way we want.
That may mean putting God in storage when we commit that sin that we don't want Him to see.
It could be that we want to do it our way.
Sometimes we simply have too much pride to "need" God.
We as a church and as individuals could accomplish so much more for God if we would simply approach Him with the humility of the Roman officer and place our trust in Him.Let me finish today with a prayer that Paul recorded 2,000 years ago, but is just as relevant now...
"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
shine!
Jason
I am not worthy
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 8:5-13
I am so amazed at the humility of the Roman officer. Here is a man with great power in the military who realizes his real place in the world. He may be able to control his soldiers, but he has no real control in this thing called life.
This man understands the power that Jesus has. He knows that with a word Jesus can heal his servant. He comes to Jesus acknowledging that only Jesus can handle this. And Jesus compliments this man's faith.
I don't know about you, but I struggle with having faith like this. So often I think I can handle it on my own. "Don't worry Jesus, I've got this one under control." Ever say that? Those may not have been the words you used, but is that what you believe at times?
I firmly believe that so often we accomplish less than we could for God not because He doesn't have the power. Rather, we are unwilling to trust Him to do what He has all the ability to do.
We like to have God in a little box where He does things on our terms. He gets involved in our life when we want Him to. We are able to keep Him put away when we do things the way we want.
That may mean putting God in storage when we commit that sin that we don't want Him to see.
It could be that we want to do it our way.
Sometimes we simply have too much pride to "need" God.
We as a church and as individuals could accomplish so much more for God if we would simply approach Him with the humility of the Roman officer and place our trust in Him.Let me finish today with a prayer that Paul recorded 2,000 years ago, but is just as relevant now...
"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
shine!
Jason
Friday, January 20, 2006
Run the whole race
TODAY'S READING: Acts 20:18-35 & 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Looking at the life of Paul I notice something very interesting. He was all about running the whole race. Not starting strong and then stopping. Not a sprint at the end. No. Paul ran the whole thing.
He said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." (2 Timothy 4:7)
I often hear people (especially teenagers and young adults) say that they are going to "enjoy life" and get serious about God later. What if Paul had said that after His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? Would he have even started the race?
Once Paul met Jesus it was on. No hesitations. No delays. No excuses. He was in the race from the word go.
Paul's ministy was all about getting serious from start. He says in the book of Acts, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly--yes, and with tears." (Acts 20:18-19)
Faithfulness to God is not a hobby we pick up later in life when we feel like it. Faithfulness is a life-long race that we must be in from the start. Once we encounter Jesus the race is on.
Do you think Satan waits once you commit your life to Jesus? I doubt it. As a matter of fact, Peter warns us. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Satan is at you from the beginning. His goal is to defeat you. And he knows that the longer you wait to start the race the harder it will be to finish.
Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It is a race and battle that we are involved in every day. And until we approach it as the serious task that it is, we will always be in danger of missing the finish line.
shine!
Jason
Looking at the life of Paul I notice something very interesting. He was all about running the whole race. Not starting strong and then stopping. Not a sprint at the end. No. Paul ran the whole thing.
He said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." (2 Timothy 4:7)
I often hear people (especially teenagers and young adults) say that they are going to "enjoy life" and get serious about God later. What if Paul had said that after His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? Would he have even started the race?
Once Paul met Jesus it was on. No hesitations. No delays. No excuses. He was in the race from the word go.
Paul's ministy was all about getting serious from start. He says in the book of Acts, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly--yes, and with tears." (Acts 20:18-19)
Faithfulness to God is not a hobby we pick up later in life when we feel like it. Faithfulness is a life-long race that we must be in from the start. Once we encounter Jesus the race is on.
Do you think Satan waits once you commit your life to Jesus? I doubt it. As a matter of fact, Peter warns us. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Satan is at you from the beginning. His goal is to defeat you. And he knows that the longer you wait to start the race the harder it will be to finish.
Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It is a race and battle that we are involved in every day. And until we approach it as the serious task that it is, we will always be in danger of missing the finish line.
shine!
Jason
Run the whole race
TODAY'S READING: Acts 20:18-35 & 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Looking at the life of Paul I notice something very interesting. He was all about running the whole race. Not starting strong and then stopping. Not a sprint at the end. No. Paul ran the whole thing.
He said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." (2 Timothy 4:7)
I often hear people (especially teenagers and young adults) say that they are going to "enjoy life" and get serious about God later. What if Paul had said that after His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? Would he have even started the race?
Once Paul met Jesus it was on. No hesitations. No delays. No excuses. He was in the race from the word go.
Paul's ministy was all about getting serious from start. He says in the book of Acts, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly--yes, and with tears." (Acts 20:18-19)
Faithfulness to God is not a hobby we pick up later in life when we feel like it. Faithfulness is a life-long race that we must be in from the start. Once we encounter Jesus the race is on.
Do you think Satan waits once you commit your life to Jesus? I doubt it. As a matter of fact, Peter warns us. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Satan is at you from the beginning. His goal is to defeat you. And he knows that the longer you wait to start the race the harder it will be to finish.
Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It is a race and battle that we are involved in every day. And until we approach it as the serious task that it is, we will always be in danger of missing the finish line.
shine!
Jason
Looking at the life of Paul I notice something very interesting. He was all about running the whole race. Not starting strong and then stopping. Not a sprint at the end. No. Paul ran the whole thing.
He said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." (2 Timothy 4:7)
I often hear people (especially teenagers and young adults) say that they are going to "enjoy life" and get serious about God later. What if Paul had said that after His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? Would he have even started the race?
Once Paul met Jesus it was on. No hesitations. No delays. No excuses. He was in the race from the word go.
Paul's ministy was all about getting serious from start. He says in the book of Acts, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly--yes, and with tears." (Acts 20:18-19)
Faithfulness to God is not a hobby we pick up later in life when we feel like it. Faithfulness is a life-long race that we must be in from the start. Once we encounter Jesus the race is on.
Do you think Satan waits once you commit your life to Jesus? I doubt it. As a matter of fact, Peter warns us. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Satan is at you from the beginning. His goal is to defeat you. And he knows that the longer you wait to start the race the harder it will be to finish.
Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It is a race and battle that we are involved in every day. And until we approach it as the serious task that it is, we will always be in danger of missing the finish line.
shine!
Jason
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A gun to your head
TODAY'S READING: Daniel 3:1-30
What if someone put a gun to your head and asked you if you believed in God?
What would your answer be?
These leads me to two questions.
Do you live the kind of life where people know you are a follower of Jesus?
Do you trust God enough that you would answer yes?
These three men we read about in Daniel faced a similar situation. They were placing their allegiance with God above everything. They lived their lives in a way that made it obvious who their God was. When faced with certain death or bowing to a different God, this was their response.
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
They were willing to lay it all on the line.
There was a teenager who faced a similar situation back in April of 1999. Cassie Bernall was a student at Columbine High School. On April 20, 1999, a gun was put to her head and she was asked if she believed in God. I have two observations. First of all, she must have been living for Jesus to be put in that situation. I do not believe she was randomly chosen. I think she was picked out because her faith was showing itself in her life.
Second, when faced with the option to sell out God and live, she chose to remain faithful and give her life. But this was not just a spur of the moment decision. It was a lifestyle choice. Here is an excerpt from a note that Cassie's mom found after her death...
"When God doesn't want me to do something, I definitely know it. When he wants me to do something, even if it means going outside my comfort zone, I know that too. I feel pushed in the direction I need to go...I try to stand up for my faith at school...It can be discouraging, but it can also be rewarding...I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made their decision long before they stood before the furnace. Cassie Bernall made her decision long before the gun was against her temple.
Have you made your decision yet? I am not just talking about a decision to be baptized. No, it goes much deeper. Have you made a decision to be a sold-out follower of the Christ? Have you decided that no matter what comes your way that you will be faithful?
Faithfulness is not about showing up at a church building. Faithfulness is not accomplished when we are baptized or by taking communion every week.
Are those a part of our faith walk? Absoultely.
But true faithfulness to God comes when we are willing to lay down our lives. It may not involve physical death, but it does involve death.
Death of our pride.
Death of our desires.
Death of our selfishness.
Most of us will never stand before a furnace or have a gun pointed at our head, but all of us will face tests on a daily basis. The question we must ask ourselves is if we have made the decision to do what God has called us to do. In the words of modern-day, teenage martyr Cassie Bernall, "I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
What if someone put a gun to your head and asked you if you believed in God?
What would your answer be?
These leads me to two questions.
Do you live the kind of life where people know you are a follower of Jesus?
Do you trust God enough that you would answer yes?
These three men we read about in Daniel faced a similar situation. They were placing their allegiance with God above everything. They lived their lives in a way that made it obvious who their God was. When faced with certain death or bowing to a different God, this was their response.
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
They were willing to lay it all on the line.
There was a teenager who faced a similar situation back in April of 1999. Cassie Bernall was a student at Columbine High School. On April 20, 1999, a gun was put to her head and she was asked if she believed in God. I have two observations. First of all, she must have been living for Jesus to be put in that situation. I do not believe she was randomly chosen. I think she was picked out because her faith was showing itself in her life.
Second, when faced with the option to sell out God and live, she chose to remain faithful and give her life. But this was not just a spur of the moment decision. It was a lifestyle choice. Here is an excerpt from a note that Cassie's mom found after her death...
"When God doesn't want me to do something, I definitely know it. When he wants me to do something, even if it means going outside my comfort zone, I know that too. I feel pushed in the direction I need to go...I try to stand up for my faith at school...It can be discouraging, but it can also be rewarding...I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made their decision long before they stood before the furnace. Cassie Bernall made her decision long before the gun was against her temple.
Have you made your decision yet? I am not just talking about a decision to be baptized. No, it goes much deeper. Have you made a decision to be a sold-out follower of the Christ? Have you decided that no matter what comes your way that you will be faithful?
Faithfulness is not about showing up at a church building. Faithfulness is not accomplished when we are baptized or by taking communion every week.
Are those a part of our faith walk? Absoultely.
But true faithfulness to God comes when we are willing to lay down our lives. It may not involve physical death, but it does involve death.
Death of our pride.
Death of our desires.
Death of our selfishness.
Most of us will never stand before a furnace or have a gun pointed at our head, but all of us will face tests on a daily basis. The question we must ask ourselves is if we have made the decision to do what God has called us to do. In the words of modern-day, teenage martyr Cassie Bernall, "I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
A gun to your head
TODAY'S READING: Daniel 3:1-30
What if someone put a gun to your head and asked you if you believed in God?
What would your answer be?
These leads me to two questions.
Do you live the kind of life where people know you are a follower of Jesus?
Do you trust God enough that you would answer yes?
These three men we read about in Daniel faced a similar situation. They were placing their allegiance with God above everything. They lived their lives in a way that made it obvious who their God was. When faced with certain death or bowing to a different God, this was their response.
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
They were willing to lay it all on the line.
There was a teenager who faced a similar situation back in April of 1999. Cassie Bernall was a student at Columbine High School. On April 20, 1999, a gun was put to her head and she was asked if she believed in God. I have two observations. First of all, she must have been living for Jesus to be put in that situation. I do not believe she was randomly chosen. I think she was picked out because her faith was showing itself in her life.
Second, when faced with the option to sell out God and live, she chose to remain faithful and give her life. But this was not just a spur of the moment decision. It was a lifestyle choice. Here is an excerpt from a note that Cassie's mom found after her death...
"When God doesn't want me to do something, I definitely know it. When he wants me to do something, even if it means going outside my comfort zone, I know that too. I feel pushed in the direction I need to go...I try to stand up for my faith at school...It can be discouraging, but it can also be rewarding...I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made their decision long before they stood before the furnace. Cassie Bernall made her decision long before the gun was against her temple.
Have you made your decision yet? I am not just talking about a decision to be baptized. No, it goes much deeper. Have you made a decision to be a sold-out follower of the Christ? Have you decided that no matter what comes your way that you will be faithful?
Faithfulness is not about showing up at a church building. Faithfulness is not accomplished when we are baptized or by taking communion every week.
Are those a part of our faith walk? Absoultely.
But true faithfulness to God comes when we are willing to lay down our lives. It may not involve physical death, but it does involve death.
Death of our pride.
Death of our desires.
Death of our selfishness.
Most of us will never stand before a furnace or have a gun pointed at our head, but all of us will face tests on a daily basis. The question we must ask ourselves is if we have made the decision to do what God has called us to do. In the words of modern-day, teenage martyr Cassie Bernall, "I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
What if someone put a gun to your head and asked you if you believed in God?
What would your answer be?
These leads me to two questions.
Do you live the kind of life where people know you are a follower of Jesus?
Do you trust God enough that you would answer yes?
These three men we read about in Daniel faced a similar situation. They were placing their allegiance with God above everything. They lived their lives in a way that made it obvious who their God was. When faced with certain death or bowing to a different God, this was their response.
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
They were willing to lay it all on the line.
There was a teenager who faced a similar situation back in April of 1999. Cassie Bernall was a student at Columbine High School. On April 20, 1999, a gun was put to her head and she was asked if she believed in God. I have two observations. First of all, she must have been living for Jesus to be put in that situation. I do not believe she was randomly chosen. I think she was picked out because her faith was showing itself in her life.
Second, when faced with the option to sell out God and live, she chose to remain faithful and give her life. But this was not just a spur of the moment decision. It was a lifestyle choice. Here is an excerpt from a note that Cassie's mom found after her death...
"When God doesn't want me to do something, I definitely know it. When he wants me to do something, even if it means going outside my comfort zone, I know that too. I feel pushed in the direction I need to go...I try to stand up for my faith at school...It can be discouraging, but it can also be rewarding...I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made their decision long before they stood before the furnace. Cassie Bernall made her decision long before the gun was against her temple.
Have you made your decision yet? I am not just talking about a decision to be baptized. No, it goes much deeper. Have you made a decision to be a sold-out follower of the Christ? Have you decided that no matter what comes your way that you will be faithful?
Faithfulness is not about showing up at a church building. Faithfulness is not accomplished when we are baptized or by taking communion every week.
Are those a part of our faith walk? Absoultely.
But true faithfulness to God comes when we are willing to lay down our lives. It may not involve physical death, but it does involve death.
Death of our pride.
Death of our desires.
Death of our selfishness.
Most of us will never stand before a furnace or have a gun pointed at our head, but all of us will face tests on a daily basis. The question we must ask ourselves is if we have made the decision to do what God has called us to do. In the words of modern-day, teenage martyr Cassie Bernall, "I will die for my God. I will die for my faith. It's the least I can do for Christ dying for me."
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Jericho
TODAY'S READING: Joshua 6:1-27
Ever wonder why God asks you to do something? I am sure that Joshua and the Israelites were a little confused when God gave them their instructions. March around the city and we will defeat it?!?!?
God is all about defying conventional wisdom. But when we are faithful we will have the victory. Jesus lived and breathed the wisdom of God.
"But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." (Matthew 5:39-42)
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
"Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visityou?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:37-40)
And then...
The ultimate.
Hanging on a cross, Jesus asks God to forgive His murderers.
What is God calling you to do that seems outrageous?
Is it reaching out to that person that everyone makes fun of?
Could it be leaving a relationship that draws you away from God?
Do you need to get rid of some of your music?
Is it time to obey your parents?
God asks us to do a lot of things that seem crazy to this world, but isn't that what our struggle is all about? Paul seems to say it best.
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This "foolish" plan of God is farwiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
Listen to God's wisdom.
Follow Christ's example.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then you can be outrageous for God!
Ever wonder why God asks you to do something? I am sure that Joshua and the Israelites were a little confused when God gave them their instructions. March around the city and we will defeat it?!?!?
God is all about defying conventional wisdom. But when we are faithful we will have the victory. Jesus lived and breathed the wisdom of God.
"But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." (Matthew 5:39-42)
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
"Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visityou?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:37-40)
And then...
The ultimate.
Hanging on a cross, Jesus asks God to forgive His murderers.
What is God calling you to do that seems outrageous?
Is it reaching out to that person that everyone makes fun of?
Could it be leaving a relationship that draws you away from God?
Do you need to get rid of some of your music?
Is it time to obey your parents?
God asks us to do a lot of things that seem crazy to this world, but isn't that what our struggle is all about? Paul seems to say it best.
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This "foolish" plan of God is farwiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
Listen to God's wisdom.
Follow Christ's example.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then you can be outrageous for God!
Jericho
TODAY'S READING: Joshua 6:1-27
Ever wonder why God asks you to do something? I am sure that Joshua and the Israelites were a little confused when God gave them their instructions. March around the city and we will defeat it?!?!?
God is all about defying conventional wisdom. But when we are faithful we will have the victory. Jesus lived and breathed the wisdom of God.
"But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." (Matthew 5:39-42)
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
"Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visityou?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:37-40)
And then...
The ultimate.
Hanging on a cross, Jesus asks God to forgive His murderers.
What is God calling you to do that seems outrageous?
Is it reaching out to that person that everyone makes fun of?
Could it be leaving a relationship that draws you away from God?
Do you need to get rid of some of your music?
Is it time to obey your parents?
God asks us to do a lot of things that seem crazy to this world, but isn't that what our struggle is all about? Paul seems to say it best.
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This "foolish" plan of God is farwiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
Listen to God's wisdom.
Follow Christ's example.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then you can be outrageous for God!
Ever wonder why God asks you to do something? I am sure that Joshua and the Israelites were a little confused when God gave them their instructions. March around the city and we will defeat it?!?!?
God is all about defying conventional wisdom. But when we are faithful we will have the victory. Jesus lived and breathed the wisdom of God.
"But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." (Matthew 5:39-42)
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)
"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
"Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visityou?' And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:37-40)
And then...
The ultimate.
Hanging on a cross, Jesus asks God to forgive His murderers.
What is God calling you to do that seems outrageous?
Is it reaching out to that person that everyone makes fun of?
Could it be leaving a relationship that draws you away from God?
Do you need to get rid of some of your music?
Is it time to obey your parents?
God asks us to do a lot of things that seem crazy to this world, but isn't that what our struggle is all about? Paul seems to say it best.
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This "foolish" plan of God is farwiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
Listen to God's wisdom.
Follow Christ's example.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then you can be outrageous for God!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
This is what it's all about
There are days I feel like going back to some secular job.
There are times I look in the mirror and wonder who I am.
There are moments I ask God if He knew what He was doing when He called me to ministry.
Then I read this note from a student...
just wanted say thank you... you have been such an inspiration to me and such a spiritual guide... God has used you so much in many people's lives... and especially mine... and i know that you are only going to help me and my personal ministry more and more through college... i love you jason and again... thank you
Wow! No more turning back. No more wondering. No more questioning.
Will there be tough days? Oh, yeah.
Will there be challenges? No doubt.
Will there be frustrations? Without a doubt.
But it's notes like this that remind me what ministry is all about. It's about touching lives. It's about helping people get to know Jesus just a little better. It's about making an impact with eternal significance.
It's better than any "job" I could even imagine.
I could make more money as an engineer, but I would never get to see that student look at me with that smile because she just encountered God in a way she never did before.
I could be more "successful" as a businessman, but I would never be able to sit at lunch with that student and study the word of God.
I could "change the world" by inventing some new devise, but I would never get to really change the world by helping a student find Jesus.
I have THE best job world. As a matter of fact, it's more than a job, it's a calling. It's a life mission. It's a chance to be Jesus to a generation that needs Him. It's an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus in a world that seems filled with darkness.
To the one who wrote those words above (you know who you are)...thank you for reminding me of what it's really all about!
There are times I look in the mirror and wonder who I am.
There are moments I ask God if He knew what He was doing when He called me to ministry.
Then I read this note from a student...
just wanted say thank you... you have been such an inspiration to me and such a spiritual guide... God has used you so much in many people's lives... and especially mine... and i know that you are only going to help me and my personal ministry more and more through college... i love you jason and again... thank you
Wow! No more turning back. No more wondering. No more questioning.
Will there be tough days? Oh, yeah.
Will there be challenges? No doubt.
Will there be frustrations? Without a doubt.
But it's notes like this that remind me what ministry is all about. It's about touching lives. It's about helping people get to know Jesus just a little better. It's about making an impact with eternal significance.
It's better than any "job" I could even imagine.
I could make more money as an engineer, but I would never get to see that student look at me with that smile because she just encountered God in a way she never did before.
I could be more "successful" as a businessman, but I would never be able to sit at lunch with that student and study the word of God.
I could "change the world" by inventing some new devise, but I would never get to really change the world by helping a student find Jesus.
I have THE best job world. As a matter of fact, it's more than a job, it's a calling. It's a life mission. It's a chance to be Jesus to a generation that needs Him. It's an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus in a world that seems filled with darkness.
To the one who wrote those words above (you know who you are)...thank you for reminding me of what it's really all about!
This is what it's all about
There are days I feel like going back to some secular job.
There are times I look in the mirror and wonder who I am.
There are moments I ask God if He knew what He was doing when He called me to ministry.
Then I read this note from a student...
just wanted say thank you... you have been such an inspiration to me and such a spiritual guide... God has used you so much in many people's lives... and especially mine... and i know that you are only going to help me and my personal ministry more and more through college... i love you jason and again... thank you
Wow! No more turning back. No more wondering. No more questioning.
Will there be tough days? Oh, yeah.
Will there be challenges? No doubt.
Will there be frustrations? Without a doubt.
But it's notes like this that remind me what ministry is all about. It's about touching lives. It's about helping people get to know Jesus just a little better. It's about making an impact with eternal significance.
It's better than any "job" I could even imagine.
I could make more money as an engineer, but I would never get to see that student look at me with that smile because she just encountered God in a way she never did before.
I could be more "successful" as a businessman, but I would never be able to sit at lunch with that student and study the word of God.
I could "change the world" by inventing some new devise, but I would never get to really change the world by helping a student find Jesus.
I have THE best job world. As a matter of fact, it's more than a job, it's a calling. It's a life mission. It's a chance to be Jesus to a generation that needs Him. It's an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus in a world that seems filled with darkness.
To the one who wrote those words above (you know who you are)...thank you for reminding me of what it's really all about!
There are times I look in the mirror and wonder who I am.
There are moments I ask God if He knew what He was doing when He called me to ministry.
Then I read this note from a student...
just wanted say thank you... you have been such an inspiration to me and such a spiritual guide... God has used you so much in many people's lives... and especially mine... and i know that you are only going to help me and my personal ministry more and more through college... i love you jason and again... thank you
Wow! No more turning back. No more wondering. No more questioning.
Will there be tough days? Oh, yeah.
Will there be challenges? No doubt.
Will there be frustrations? Without a doubt.
But it's notes like this that remind me what ministry is all about. It's about touching lives. It's about helping people get to know Jesus just a little better. It's about making an impact with eternal significance.
It's better than any "job" I could even imagine.
I could make more money as an engineer, but I would never get to see that student look at me with that smile because she just encountered God in a way she never did before.
I could be more "successful" as a businessman, but I would never be able to sit at lunch with that student and study the word of God.
I could "change the world" by inventing some new devise, but I would never get to really change the world by helping a student find Jesus.
I have THE best job world. As a matter of fact, it's more than a job, it's a calling. It's a life mission. It's a chance to be Jesus to a generation that needs Him. It's an opportunity to shine the light of Jesus in a world that seems filled with darkness.
To the one who wrote those words above (you know who you are)...thank you for reminding me of what it's really all about!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The perfect wife
I remember when I met my wife, Michelle. I remember as we began to date. I remember the day we were married. I know that on that day I was not remotely the husband I am today. It was the first day of a lifetime of becoming a better husband and man.
What if my wife wanted me to be the perfect husband the day we were married? She would have been highly disappointed from the first day. And what if I had wanted her to be the perfect wife from the day we were married. I would have found disappointment as well. Our marriage would have been destined for disaster and failure.
Is it no wonder that so many Christians are disillusioned and frustrated when we try to approach our walk with Jesus with this misguided attitude. I have been around people who tell you that you have to have all of your "ducks in a row" when you become a Christian. You have to have all the doctrines right. You have to answer the questions the right way. You have to immediately become the "model Christian."
Where did we go wrong? When did Christ ever expect us to instantly change our entire life when we decide to follow Him? Now, before you go balistic and launch into some attack, hold on a second.
Do we become a new creation when we decide to follow Christ? Yes.
Do we repent and change directions? Yes.
Does the "old man" die? Yes.
When we make a commitment to Jesus as Lord of our life we certainly make new allegences and leave our old "gods" behind. However, the living out of this change is never immediate. But this often what we teach. We may not use those words, but our behaviors often communicate this.
What kind of pressure does that put on the new Christian? More than they should have. What if you were baptized last week and you are still struggling to stay pure with your girlfriend? What if you just became a Christian but you struggle with your drinking problem? What if just weeks after your conversion you still spread rumors about other people?
When we expect "instant Christian" we set these people up for disaster. As they try to live up to the expectation placed before them they fear rejection by the church because they don't measure up. As they internalize their sin, afraid to share their struggle with others, they turn to the one thing that brings comfort...that sin. This self-destructive cycle continues until they lose all hope and walk away from Christianity or a number of other negative endings.
Have you seen this before? I have seen it many times. I have lived it in my life. Early in my Christian walk I struggled to overccome sin and temptations I lived with most of my life up to that point. As I did my best to measure up I was afraid to talk to anyone about my struggles. It tore me up inside as I had no one to turn to. I was afraid to disappoint my new found "family."
Something special happens when we become a Christian. When we are baptized into Christ we start a new life. We put on Christ. We are washed clean. Our sins are forgiven. But that is the beginning of the journey, not the end. It is the start of a lifelong adventure of following Jesus and becoming more and more like Him.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, "That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.
Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
We must be people who allow the Spirit of the Lord to work in our lives and the lives around us. We must avoid the veil of legalism. We must avoid the veil that sets unrealistic expectations. The Old Covenant was built around "measuring up," but in Christ we find freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from judgment. Freedom from having to be good enough. The freedom we find from the Spirit is the freedom to become more and more like Jesus.
We must be open enough to accept people's imperfections and help them grow to be more and more like Jesus. We need to take off the veil of the "model Christian" and admit we are all on this journey as imperfect followers of the Perfect One. When we show our imperfections, admit our shortcomings, and take away the barriers we have put up, then we can truly be mirrors that reflect the love, forgiveness, and gentleness of the Lord.
Only when we are real can the changes in our life and others lives be real.
What if my wife wanted me to be the perfect husband the day we were married? She would have been highly disappointed from the first day. And what if I had wanted her to be the perfect wife from the day we were married. I would have found disappointment as well. Our marriage would have been destined for disaster and failure.
Is it no wonder that so many Christians are disillusioned and frustrated when we try to approach our walk with Jesus with this misguided attitude. I have been around people who tell you that you have to have all of your "ducks in a row" when you become a Christian. You have to have all the doctrines right. You have to answer the questions the right way. You have to immediately become the "model Christian."
Where did we go wrong? When did Christ ever expect us to instantly change our entire life when we decide to follow Him? Now, before you go balistic and launch into some attack, hold on a second.
Do we become a new creation when we decide to follow Christ? Yes.
Do we repent and change directions? Yes.
Does the "old man" die? Yes.
When we make a commitment to Jesus as Lord of our life we certainly make new allegences and leave our old "gods" behind. However, the living out of this change is never immediate. But this often what we teach. We may not use those words, but our behaviors often communicate this.
What kind of pressure does that put on the new Christian? More than they should have. What if you were baptized last week and you are still struggling to stay pure with your girlfriend? What if you just became a Christian but you struggle with your drinking problem? What if just weeks after your conversion you still spread rumors about other people?
When we expect "instant Christian" we set these people up for disaster. As they try to live up to the expectation placed before them they fear rejection by the church because they don't measure up. As they internalize their sin, afraid to share their struggle with others, they turn to the one thing that brings comfort...that sin. This self-destructive cycle continues until they lose all hope and walk away from Christianity or a number of other negative endings.
Have you seen this before? I have seen it many times. I have lived it in my life. Early in my Christian walk I struggled to overccome sin and temptations I lived with most of my life up to that point. As I did my best to measure up I was afraid to talk to anyone about my struggles. It tore me up inside as I had no one to turn to. I was afraid to disappoint my new found "family."
Something special happens when we become a Christian. When we are baptized into Christ we start a new life. We put on Christ. We are washed clean. Our sins are forgiven. But that is the beginning of the journey, not the end. It is the start of a lifelong adventure of following Jesus and becoming more and more like Him.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, "That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.
Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
We must be people who allow the Spirit of the Lord to work in our lives and the lives around us. We must avoid the veil of legalism. We must avoid the veil that sets unrealistic expectations. The Old Covenant was built around "measuring up," but in Christ we find freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from judgment. Freedom from having to be good enough. The freedom we find from the Spirit is the freedom to become more and more like Jesus.
We must be open enough to accept people's imperfections and help them grow to be more and more like Jesus. We need to take off the veil of the "model Christian" and admit we are all on this journey as imperfect followers of the Perfect One. When we show our imperfections, admit our shortcomings, and take away the barriers we have put up, then we can truly be mirrors that reflect the love, forgiveness, and gentleness of the Lord.
Only when we are real can the changes in our life and others lives be real.
The perfect wife
I remember when I met my wife, Michelle. I remember as we began to date. I remember the day we were married. I know that on that day I was not remotely the husband I am today. It was the first day of a lifetime of becoming a better husband and man.
What if my wife wanted me to be the perfect husband the day we were married? She would have been highly disappointed from the first day. And what if I had wanted her to be the perfect wife from the day we were married. I would have found disappointment as well. Our marriage would have been destined for disaster and failure.
Is it no wonder that so many Christians are disillusioned and frustrated when we try to approach our walk with Jesus with this misguided attitude. I have been around people who tell you that you have to have all of your "ducks in a row" when you become a Christian. You have to have all the doctrines right. You have to answer the questions the right way. You have to immediately become the "model Christian."
Where did we go wrong? When did Christ ever expect us to instantly change our entire life when we decide to follow Him? Now, before you go balistic and launch into some attack, hold on a second.
Do we become a new creation when we decide to follow Christ? Yes.
Do we repent and change directions? Yes.
Does the "old man" die? Yes.
When we make a commitment to Jesus as Lord of our life we certainly make new allegences and leave our old "gods" behind. However, the living out of this change is never immediate. But this often what we teach. We may not use those words, but our behaviors often communicate this.
What kind of pressure does that put on the new Christian? More than they should have. What if you were baptized last week and you are still struggling to stay pure with your girlfriend? What if you just became a Christian but you struggle with your drinking problem? What if just weeks after your conversion you still spread rumors about other people?
When we expect "instant Christian" we set these people up for disaster. As they try to live up to the expectation placed before them they fear rejection by the church because they don't measure up. As they internalize their sin, afraid to share their struggle with others, they turn to the one thing that brings comfort...that sin. This self-destructive cycle continues until they lose all hope and walk away from Christianity or a number of other negative endings.
Have you seen this before? I have seen it many times. I have lived it in my life. Early in my Christian walk I struggled to overccome sin and temptations I lived with most of my life up to that point. As I did my best to measure up I was afraid to talk to anyone about my struggles. It tore me up inside as I had no one to turn to. I was afraid to disappoint my new found "family."
Something special happens when we become a Christian. When we are baptized into Christ we start a new life. We put on Christ. We are washed clean. Our sins are forgiven. But that is the beginning of the journey, not the end. It is the start of a lifelong adventure of following Jesus and becoming more and more like Him.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, "That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.
Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
We must be people who allow the Spirit of the Lord to work in our lives and the lives around us. We must avoid the veil of legalism. We must avoid the veil that sets unrealistic expectations. The Old Covenant was built around "measuring up," but in Christ we find freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from judgment. Freedom from having to be good enough. The freedom we find from the Spirit is the freedom to become more and more like Jesus.
We must be open enough to accept people's imperfections and help them grow to be more and more like Jesus. We need to take off the veil of the "model Christian" and admit we are all on this journey as imperfect followers of the Perfect One. When we show our imperfections, admit our shortcomings, and take away the barriers we have put up, then we can truly be mirrors that reflect the love, forgiveness, and gentleness of the Lord.
Only when we are real can the changes in our life and others lives be real.
What if my wife wanted me to be the perfect husband the day we were married? She would have been highly disappointed from the first day. And what if I had wanted her to be the perfect wife from the day we were married. I would have found disappointment as well. Our marriage would have been destined for disaster and failure.
Is it no wonder that so many Christians are disillusioned and frustrated when we try to approach our walk with Jesus with this misguided attitude. I have been around people who tell you that you have to have all of your "ducks in a row" when you become a Christian. You have to have all the doctrines right. You have to answer the questions the right way. You have to immediately become the "model Christian."
Where did we go wrong? When did Christ ever expect us to instantly change our entire life when we decide to follow Him? Now, before you go balistic and launch into some attack, hold on a second.
Do we become a new creation when we decide to follow Christ? Yes.
Do we repent and change directions? Yes.
Does the "old man" die? Yes.
When we make a commitment to Jesus as Lord of our life we certainly make new allegences and leave our old "gods" behind. However, the living out of this change is never immediate. But this often what we teach. We may not use those words, but our behaviors often communicate this.
What kind of pressure does that put on the new Christian? More than they should have. What if you were baptized last week and you are still struggling to stay pure with your girlfriend? What if you just became a Christian but you struggle with your drinking problem? What if just weeks after your conversion you still spread rumors about other people?
When we expect "instant Christian" we set these people up for disaster. As they try to live up to the expectation placed before them they fear rejection by the church because they don't measure up. As they internalize their sin, afraid to share their struggle with others, they turn to the one thing that brings comfort...that sin. This self-destructive cycle continues until they lose all hope and walk away from Christianity or a number of other negative endings.
Have you seen this before? I have seen it many times. I have lived it in my life. Early in my Christian walk I struggled to overccome sin and temptations I lived with most of my life up to that point. As I did my best to measure up I was afraid to talk to anyone about my struggles. It tore me up inside as I had no one to turn to. I was afraid to disappoint my new found "family."
Something special happens when we become a Christian. When we are baptized into Christ we start a new life. We put on Christ. We are washed clean. Our sins are forgiven. But that is the beginning of the journey, not the end. It is the start of a lifelong adventure of following Jesus and becoming more and more like Him.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, "That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.
Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
We must be people who allow the Spirit of the Lord to work in our lives and the lives around us. We must avoid the veil of legalism. We must avoid the veil that sets unrealistic expectations. The Old Covenant was built around "measuring up," but in Christ we find freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from judgment. Freedom from having to be good enough. The freedom we find from the Spirit is the freedom to become more and more like Jesus.
We must be open enough to accept people's imperfections and help them grow to be more and more like Jesus. We need to take off the veil of the "model Christian" and admit we are all on this journey as imperfect followers of the Perfect One. When we show our imperfections, admit our shortcomings, and take away the barriers we have put up, then we can truly be mirrors that reflect the love, forgiveness, and gentleness of the Lord.
Only when we are real can the changes in our life and others lives be real.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
The Big Picture
Well, I just returned from the National Youth Workers Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. What an awesome time!! God has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are before me and the ministry here at Rochester. There are so many things bouncing around in my head right now and they are started to form and take shape. God is calling our youth mnistry to something bigger than I can even imagine.
It is scary and exhilirating to know that God is calling me to lead something that is beyond what I can accomplish on my own. That means that I will need to rely on Him and on those He has placed around me. I stand in awe of a God that trusts imperfect, fallen people like me to carry out His plans here on earth.
I know that God has brought me to this place at this time for something that I cannot fully comprehend right now. And think God intends it to be that way. If I could see everything and knew it all then God would not be able to work. God gives us a glimpse of His plan and then asks us to trust Him and come along for the ride. I feel like a kid again. I feel like Christmas morning is just around the corner and my Father has prepared some amazing gifts for me. The only difference is that I didn't look in a catalogue or online to find these gifts. They are presents that can only come from a place beyond my comprehension. They are expressions of love from a Father that is lavishing on me more than I deserve. They are causing me to lay down my desires and make His desires mine. I can't open a gift with my hands full. I can only open a gift when I am willing to put down what I have and pick up what I have been offered.
The best gift of all is not the one under the tree but the One that hung on a tree. That is where I find my true joy and my true power. The joy of serving a God with eternal love and the power to bring the kingdom of heaven to this world full of sin.
shine!
It is scary and exhilirating to know that God is calling me to lead something that is beyond what I can accomplish on my own. That means that I will need to rely on Him and on those He has placed around me. I stand in awe of a God that trusts imperfect, fallen people like me to carry out His plans here on earth.
I know that God has brought me to this place at this time for something that I cannot fully comprehend right now. And think God intends it to be that way. If I could see everything and knew it all then God would not be able to work. God gives us a glimpse of His plan and then asks us to trust Him and come along for the ride. I feel like a kid again. I feel like Christmas morning is just around the corner and my Father has prepared some amazing gifts for me. The only difference is that I didn't look in a catalogue or online to find these gifts. They are presents that can only come from a place beyond my comprehension. They are expressions of love from a Father that is lavishing on me more than I deserve. They are causing me to lay down my desires and make His desires mine. I can't open a gift with my hands full. I can only open a gift when I am willing to put down what I have and pick up what I have been offered.
The best gift of all is not the one under the tree but the One that hung on a tree. That is where I find my true joy and my true power. The joy of serving a God with eternal love and the power to bring the kingdom of heaven to this world full of sin.
shine!
The Big Picture
Well, I just returned from the National Youth Workers Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. What an awesome time!! God has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are before me and the ministry here at Rochester. There are so many things bouncing around in my head right now and they are started to form and take shape. God is calling our youth mnistry to something bigger than I can even imagine.
It is scary and exhilirating to know that God is calling me to lead something that is beyond what I can accomplish on my own. That means that I will need to rely on Him and on those He has placed around me. I stand in awe of a God that trusts imperfect, fallen people like me to carry out His plans here on earth.
I know that God has brought me to this place at this time for something that I cannot fully comprehend right now. And think God intends it to be that way. If I could see everything and knew it all then God would not be able to work. God gives us a glimpse of His plan and then asks us to trust Him and come along for the ride. I feel like a kid again. I feel like Christmas morning is just around the corner and my Father has prepared some amazing gifts for me. The only difference is that I didn't look in a catalogue or online to find these gifts. They are presents that can only come from a place beyond my comprehension. They are expressions of love from a Father that is lavishing on me more than I deserve. They are causing me to lay down my desires and make His desires mine. I can't open a gift with my hands full. I can only open a gift when I am willing to put down what I have and pick up what I have been offered.
The best gift of all is not the one under the tree but the One that hung on a tree. That is where I find my true joy and my true power. The joy of serving a God with eternal love and the power to bring the kingdom of heaven to this world full of sin.
shine!
It is scary and exhilirating to know that God is calling me to lead something that is beyond what I can accomplish on my own. That means that I will need to rely on Him and on those He has placed around me. I stand in awe of a God that trusts imperfect, fallen people like me to carry out His plans here on earth.
I know that God has brought me to this place at this time for something that I cannot fully comprehend right now. And think God intends it to be that way. If I could see everything and knew it all then God would not be able to work. God gives us a glimpse of His plan and then asks us to trust Him and come along for the ride. I feel like a kid again. I feel like Christmas morning is just around the corner and my Father has prepared some amazing gifts for me. The only difference is that I didn't look in a catalogue or online to find these gifts. They are presents that can only come from a place beyond my comprehension. They are expressions of love from a Father that is lavishing on me more than I deserve. They are causing me to lay down my desires and make His desires mine. I can't open a gift with my hands full. I can only open a gift when I am willing to put down what I have and pick up what I have been offered.
The best gift of all is not the one under the tree but the One that hung on a tree. That is where I find my true joy and my true power. The joy of serving a God with eternal love and the power to bring the kingdom of heaven to this world full of sin.
shine!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Take a stand (or a seat)
This week our nation mourned the loss of a pioneer. Rosa Parks passed away at the age 92 on October 24. Yesterday her funeral was held here in Detroit.
Here is a portion of the news report about Rosa...
Parks was 92 when she died Oct. 24 in Detroit. Nearly 50 years earlier, she was a 42-year-old tailor's assistant at a department store in Montgomery, Ala., when she was arrested and fined $10 plus $4 in court costs for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery city bus.
Her action on Dec. 1, 1955, triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in December 1956 that segregated seats on city buses were unconstitutional, giving momentum to the battle against laws that separated the races in public accommodations and businesses throughout the South.
But Parks and her husband, Raymond, were exposed to harassment and death threats in Montgomery, where they also lost their jobs. They moved to Detroit with Rosa Parks' mother, Leona McCauley, in 1957.
The action of this one woman impacted an entire nation. She was willing to do what was right when the culture around her said it was wrong. Her example should also be an inspiration to Christians around the world. Her attitude and courage remind me of the words of the apostle Paul who wrote...
With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. (Ephesians 4:17-24)
We must be different. We must live different. We must be willing to take a stand for what is right even when the culture says it is wrong.
Abortion.
Homosexuality.
Materialism.
Sexual freedom.
Dishonesty.
Euthanasia.
Selfishness.
Greed.
The list could go on and on.
The question that remains is this. Are we willing to take a stand for God no matter what? Are willing to sacrifice the comforts of this world to serve the Kingdom of God? Can we lay down our crown so we can pick up our cross?
Jesus Himself said the following...
"If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
What are you willing to give for Jesus? He was willing to give it all for you.
Rosa Parks was willing to pay a fine, suffer death threats, and lose her job to take a stand (and a seat) for what is right. What are willing to give?
Here is a portion of the news report about Rosa...
Parks was 92 when she died Oct. 24 in Detroit. Nearly 50 years earlier, she was a 42-year-old tailor's assistant at a department store in Montgomery, Ala., when she was arrested and fined $10 plus $4 in court costs for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery city bus.
Her action on Dec. 1, 1955, triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in December 1956 that segregated seats on city buses were unconstitutional, giving momentum to the battle against laws that separated the races in public accommodations and businesses throughout the South.
But Parks and her husband, Raymond, were exposed to harassment and death threats in Montgomery, where they also lost their jobs. They moved to Detroit with Rosa Parks' mother, Leona McCauley, in 1957.
The action of this one woman impacted an entire nation. She was willing to do what was right when the culture around her said it was wrong. Her example should also be an inspiration to Christians around the world. Her attitude and courage remind me of the words of the apostle Paul who wrote...
With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. (Ephesians 4:17-24)
We must be different. We must live different. We must be willing to take a stand for what is right even when the culture says it is wrong.
Abortion.
Homosexuality.
Materialism.
Sexual freedom.
Dishonesty.
Euthanasia.
Selfishness.
Greed.
The list could go on and on.
The question that remains is this. Are we willing to take a stand for God no matter what? Are willing to sacrifice the comforts of this world to serve the Kingdom of God? Can we lay down our crown so we can pick up our cross?
Jesus Himself said the following...
"If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
What are you willing to give for Jesus? He was willing to give it all for you.
Rosa Parks was willing to pay a fine, suffer death threats, and lose her job to take a stand (and a seat) for what is right. What are willing to give?
Take a stand (or a seat)
This week our nation mourned the loss of a pioneer. Rosa Parks passed away at the age 92 on October 24. Yesterday her funeral was held here in Detroit.
Here is a portion of the news report about Rosa...
Parks was 92 when she died Oct. 24 in Detroit. Nearly 50 years earlier, she was a 42-year-old tailor's assistant at a department store in Montgomery, Ala., when she was arrested and fined $10 plus $4 in court costs for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery city bus.
Her action on Dec. 1, 1955, triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in December 1956 that segregated seats on city buses were unconstitutional, giving momentum to the battle against laws that separated the races in public accommodations and businesses throughout the South.
But Parks and her husband, Raymond, were exposed to harassment and death threats in Montgomery, where they also lost their jobs. They moved to Detroit with Rosa Parks' mother, Leona McCauley, in 1957.
The action of this one woman impacted an entire nation. She was willing to do what was right when the culture around her said it was wrong. Her example should also be an inspiration to Christians around the world. Her attitude and courage remind me of the words of the apostle Paul who wrote...
With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. (Ephesians 4:17-24)
We must be different. We must live different. We must be willing to take a stand for what is right even when the culture says it is wrong.
Abortion.
Homosexuality.
Materialism.
Sexual freedom.
Dishonesty.
Euthanasia.
Selfishness.
Greed.
The list could go on and on.
The question that remains is this. Are we willing to take a stand for God no matter what? Are willing to sacrifice the comforts of this world to serve the Kingdom of God? Can we lay down our crown so we can pick up our cross?
Jesus Himself said the following...
"If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
What are you willing to give for Jesus? He was willing to give it all for you.
Rosa Parks was willing to pay a fine, suffer death threats, and lose her job to take a stand (and a seat) for what is right. What are willing to give?
Here is a portion of the news report about Rosa...
Parks was 92 when she died Oct. 24 in Detroit. Nearly 50 years earlier, she was a 42-year-old tailor's assistant at a department store in Montgomery, Ala., when she was arrested and fined $10 plus $4 in court costs for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery city bus.
Her action on Dec. 1, 1955, triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in December 1956 that segregated seats on city buses were unconstitutional, giving momentum to the battle against laws that separated the races in public accommodations and businesses throughout the South.
But Parks and her husband, Raymond, were exposed to harassment and death threats in Montgomery, where they also lost their jobs. They moved to Detroit with Rosa Parks' mother, Leona McCauley, in 1957.
The action of this one woman impacted an entire nation. She was willing to do what was right when the culture around her said it was wrong. Her example should also be an inspiration to Christians around the world. Her attitude and courage remind me of the words of the apostle Paul who wrote...
With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. (Ephesians 4:17-24)
We must be different. We must live different. We must be willing to take a stand for what is right even when the culture says it is wrong.
Abortion.
Homosexuality.
Materialism.
Sexual freedom.
Dishonesty.
Euthanasia.
Selfishness.
Greed.
The list could go on and on.
The question that remains is this. Are we willing to take a stand for God no matter what? Are willing to sacrifice the comforts of this world to serve the Kingdom of God? Can we lay down our crown so we can pick up our cross?
Jesus Himself said the following...
"If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
What are you willing to give for Jesus? He was willing to give it all for you.
Rosa Parks was willing to pay a fine, suffer death threats, and lose her job to take a stand (and a seat) for what is right. What are willing to give?
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