It's camp season in my world which means chigger bites in places that just make you look creepy when you have to scratch them. It means beds that were made in a concrete factory. It means showering with your new best friend, Mr. Cockroach. It also means kids making life-changing commitments to Christ by coming to know Jesus for the first time. I love it!! There are so many stories I could share with about what God has done, but I want to share with you a lesson God taught me. Working in a ministry like FCA, you work with staff and volunteers from different churches, different denominations, and different theology views. And camp seemed to be the place to talk, discuss, and debate those differences...or so I thought. We debated reformed vs. free-will, the women's roles in ministry, the tithe, homosexuality in the church etc. and you know what I noticed not one person came to know Jesus because of these discussions. I watched, listened, and played a part in discussing what we thought was "right" instead of God's righteousness. We discussed what we thought instead of who God is. We debated God's word instead of living God's Word.
At the same time I was being convicted of these truths, I read Acts 6 in my quiet time with Jesus...
"But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontentment. The Greek speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program." Acts 6:1-2
There are so many statements, relationships, God's movement that can be ruined by "buts."
"I really like you but I don't think we should go out anymore"
"I like our church but I think the music should be different"
"I know God is moving but if He could just do it faster"
"Believers were rapidly multiplying but people were griping"
Our "But's" can keep us from God's Plan.
Our enemy will do anything to keep us focused on everything except Jesus. He will distract, distort, and discourage you in order to keep your focus on yourself not God..."you have to prove your point", "you have to prove you are right." Like the early church of Acts, we are called to teach about Jesus, live for Jesus, Show Jesus....not run a debate program.
"But's" is one of the biggest problems in Christianity today. We can get so focused on "causes" that we forget Christ. We can get so focused on social issues that we forget the Spirit." We think if someone disagrees with you, they hate you. If someone loves you, they have to agree with you. These disagreements just distract, distort, and discourage what God wants us to being doing: Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ with Grace and Truth.
I challenge you as a follower of Jesus....Don't be a But!!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
An old story...new message
When I was little, there was a song we always sang in Sunday School about a "wee little man." It was one of my favorites... probably because you cant say "wee little man" without saying it in a British accent or is that just me? :) If you are familiar with the song, you know I am talking about the "wee little man" (insert British Accent), Zaccheaus. If you aren't familiar with it, here you go....
Zaccheaus was a wee little man and wee little man was he
He climbed up in a Sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see
And as that Savior passed that way He looked up in the tree
And he said, "Zaccheaus, you come down."
For I am coming to your house today, For I'm coming to your house today
I love the old stories from my childhood....Oh, But how I love when he uses them to teach me life lessons as an adult.
The story of Jesus and Zacchaues takes place in Luke 19: 1-10
"Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region. and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down ! I must be a guest in your home today." Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"
Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Lesson #1
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES IN A BETTER POSITION TO SEE JESUS IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE HIM.
One of the things I have learned in sports is you put yourself in a position to make the play. Sometimes we have to change the way we are lined up or change our approach to get the result we want...or need. Zaccheaus wanted to see Jesus, but couldn't because he was too short. He could have given up, he could have given in but he wanted to see this man he had been hearing so much about so he changed his position. He climbed up a tree just to get a glimpse of him with his eyes and ended up experiencing him with his heart. I talk to people all the time who want to feel Jesus, experience Jesus, or see Jesus working in their lives, but are so frustrated because they don't. But, they haven't changed anything about their lives in order to experience him. We all do it! We do the same things over and over expecting different results. We say with our words and/or our actions "I need to see God to believe God." But God wants us to "Believe God and then we will see Him." Believe God when He says "draw close to me and I will draw close to you." So change your position and make some one-on-one time with God. Believe God when he says the greatest commandment is to "Love the Lord your God...Love your neighbor as yourself." So change your position on how everybody is here for your benefit. Get out of the "selfies" mode and into the serving mode and see God work in your relationships. Believe God when he says "He will work all things to the good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose." So change your position on viewing your glass as half empty and focus on the one who fills it. See how Jesus changes your perspective because you changed your position.
Lesson #2
JESUS CALLS US BY OUR NAME WHEN THE WORLD CALLS US BY OUR REPUTATION
There are people we know as coach, teacher, doctor, mom. Then there are some people we know as "the one who cheated on his wife", "the one who has an alcohol problem", "the one who's son is gay." Good or bad. Right or wrong....we call people by what they do, but God calls us by name because that is who we are. The people called Zacchaeus "a notorious sinner" but Jesus called him Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had made mistakes, he had sinned, but Jesus didn't see him for what he was, but for who he could become. We have all sinned. We have all got caught up in trying to find ourselves in what we do for a living or want to lose ourselves for what we have done in the past. Neither is who we are. Jesus is calling you by name and asking you to be a guest in your home and your heart today. "(Insert name), come down from that tree of shame because I am coming to your house today." "(Insert name), come down from that tree of fear, because I am coming to your house today." "(Insert name), come down from that tree of loneliness, because I am coming to your house today." You are NOT what you do or what you have done...but as a follower of Jesus you are the child of the one true King. Your name is among the name above all name!
Lesson #3
JESUS VALUES THE RELATIONSHIP OF HIS PEOPLE OVER THE RULES OF THE WORLD
We live in a world that you should be respectful but only if you believe the same things, act the same way, and look the same. The rules of that day was that if you were "religious" you didn't associate with those that were not. You didn't hang out with them. You didn't go to their houses. And you sure as heck didn't love them. Sound familiar? It should, we still hold these same "rules" in our churches, in our schools and in our homes. The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus shows us that when value the relationship...love changes people, judgement does not. God is love so when we love the way God intended us to, He changes people through the love His people show. As followers of Jesus, we are to love people differently than the world does. It is my hope and prayer that people will know us as followers of Jesus by our love and people will be changed because of God's love.
Who knew you could learn so much from a "wee little man"....
Zaccheaus was a wee little man and wee little man was he
He climbed up in a Sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see
And as that Savior passed that way He looked up in the tree
And he said, "Zaccheaus, you come down."
For I am coming to your house today, For I'm coming to your house today
I love the old stories from my childhood....Oh, But how I love when he uses them to teach me life lessons as an adult.
The story of Jesus and Zacchaues takes place in Luke 19: 1-10
"Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region. and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down ! I must be a guest in your home today." Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"
Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Lesson #1
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES IN A BETTER POSITION TO SEE JESUS IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE HIM.
One of the things I have learned in sports is you put yourself in a position to make the play. Sometimes we have to change the way we are lined up or change our approach to get the result we want...or need. Zaccheaus wanted to see Jesus, but couldn't because he was too short. He could have given up, he could have given in but he wanted to see this man he had been hearing so much about so he changed his position. He climbed up a tree just to get a glimpse of him with his eyes and ended up experiencing him with his heart. I talk to people all the time who want to feel Jesus, experience Jesus, or see Jesus working in their lives, but are so frustrated because they don't. But, they haven't changed anything about their lives in order to experience him. We all do it! We do the same things over and over expecting different results. We say with our words and/or our actions "I need to see God to believe God." But God wants us to "Believe God and then we will see Him." Believe God when He says "draw close to me and I will draw close to you." So change your position and make some one-on-one time with God. Believe God when he says the greatest commandment is to "Love the Lord your God...Love your neighbor as yourself." So change your position on how everybody is here for your benefit. Get out of the "selfies" mode and into the serving mode and see God work in your relationships. Believe God when he says "He will work all things to the good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose." So change your position on viewing your glass as half empty and focus on the one who fills it. See how Jesus changes your perspective because you changed your position.
Lesson #2
JESUS CALLS US BY OUR NAME WHEN THE WORLD CALLS US BY OUR REPUTATION
There are people we know as coach, teacher, doctor, mom. Then there are some people we know as "the one who cheated on his wife", "the one who has an alcohol problem", "the one who's son is gay." Good or bad. Right or wrong....we call people by what they do, but God calls us by name because that is who we are. The people called Zacchaeus "a notorious sinner" but Jesus called him Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had made mistakes, he had sinned, but Jesus didn't see him for what he was, but for who he could become. We have all sinned. We have all got caught up in trying to find ourselves in what we do for a living or want to lose ourselves for what we have done in the past. Neither is who we are. Jesus is calling you by name and asking you to be a guest in your home and your heart today. "(Insert name), come down from that tree of shame because I am coming to your house today." "(Insert name), come down from that tree of fear, because I am coming to your house today." "(Insert name), come down from that tree of loneliness, because I am coming to your house today." You are NOT what you do or what you have done...but as a follower of Jesus you are the child of the one true King. Your name is among the name above all name!
Lesson #3
JESUS VALUES THE RELATIONSHIP OF HIS PEOPLE OVER THE RULES OF THE WORLD
We live in a world that you should be respectful but only if you believe the same things, act the same way, and look the same. The rules of that day was that if you were "religious" you didn't associate with those that were not. You didn't hang out with them. You didn't go to their houses. And you sure as heck didn't love them. Sound familiar? It should, we still hold these same "rules" in our churches, in our schools and in our homes. The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus shows us that when value the relationship...love changes people, judgement does not. God is love so when we love the way God intended us to, He changes people through the love His people show. As followers of Jesus, we are to love people differently than the world does. It is my hope and prayer that people will know us as followers of Jesus by our love and people will be changed because of God's love.
Who knew you could learn so much from a "wee little man"....
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Quieting your critics
It's March...which means March Madness in the NCAA basketball world...and in our house. March tends to be a little crazy around our house. We have birthdays, softball games, baseball practices, spring break, Roberts family cupcake war, chapels, banquets....and on and on. And during the crazy times is when it seems the critics come out in full force. If you have been alive for more than 5 minutes you have had critics. Those people who will criticize you for doing too much, those that criticize for not doing enough. Those that criticize your work, your house, your family, your writings....and you. I may be wrong, but if you are in the sports or ministry world you will get criticized more than most! There are sports talk radio and T.V. shows where the whole premise is to criticize the players, coaches, owners etc. People are standing in line to post articles and facebook posts on why certain pastors aren't "real pastors" or believers. It is has been interesting reading the articles that are criticizing the "Son of God" movie...and they weren't written by non-believers. So how do we handle it because it is impossible to avoid it....Let's look at Jesus.
The first thing we need to learn is that it will happen...YOU WILL BE CRITICIZED. It's not a question of "if" but of "when". How do I know this? Because the only perfect man to ever walk this earth had critics therefore we will too.
We read throughout the gospels that Jesus was criticized...a lot! It must have been difficult for him because the ones criticizing him were the ones that were suppose to be representing God and were the Pharisees and Religious leaders. He was criticized for not fasting and praying enough (Luke 5:33-39), for breaking heads of grain and eating it on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5), for healing on the Sabbath 6:-6-10), for not washing his hands before he ate (Luke 11:37-53) and on and on and on. So...if you are thinking "I am just doing what God has called me to do and I am getting criticized for it".....Yep! You are in good company because so did Jesus!
The second thing we need to understand is how to handle it because I don't know about you, but I want to defend myself, my actions, my calling....me. Do you see the problem? The focus is on me not God. When we read each story about Jesus and his critics...he never defends himself, not even before Pontius Pilate when he was about to be crucified. Yes, Jesus got defensive.Yes, Jesus got angry. But every time it was to defend God his father. There is a difference between Righteous anger and being "Right" anger...one defends God, the other defends yourself. Jesus knew who He was and who had sent him. He was prayed up and ready to press on. He knew these people's intentions would never overtake God's directions. At one point, his critics "mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way." (Luke 4:29-30) We have to understand that the crowd's intentions may want to push you off the cliff but God's direction is to push you through the crowd. Don't be afraid to speak up and speak out on God's behalf...not to show you are right, but to show He is. I heard a quote from Pastor Mark Batterson that said, "It's easier to act like a Christian than to react like one." We want to quiet our critics with our own voice when God is asking us to quiet them with his: His words, His actions, His forgiveness, His voice, His Spirit. So if you have critics that don't want you to pray with your team...take a stand by taking a knee. If you have critics because you're losing...keep your focus on the One that never does. If you have critics because you are succeeding....Keep your focus on the One that always does.
The third thing we need to understand is there is such a thing as constructive criticism, or I call wisdom, that we can not overlook. This is when God does use His people to speak Truth into an other's life. How do we tell the difference? 1) How they say it. If they come to you in a calm and loving way and even ask to pray before the conversation. Listen to their heart because God maybe trying to speak to yours.
2) What they say. Listen to hear if their words help you or harm you. There are some Words from God that may hurt (you might be struggling with sin or going down the wrong path), but will never harm you. We know it comes from God when True words are spoken with Grace. 3) When they say it. If you have a parent who wants to tell you how horrible of a coach you are after a game it's probably not from God. God's words are perfect and so is his timing.
Here's to quieting your critics and listening to your wisdom walkers....
The first thing we need to learn is that it will happen...YOU WILL BE CRITICIZED. It's not a question of "if" but of "when". How do I know this? Because the only perfect man to ever walk this earth had critics therefore we will too.
We read throughout the gospels that Jesus was criticized...a lot! It must have been difficult for him because the ones criticizing him were the ones that were suppose to be representing God and were the Pharisees and Religious leaders. He was criticized for not fasting and praying enough (Luke 5:33-39), for breaking heads of grain and eating it on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5), for healing on the Sabbath 6:-6-10), for not washing his hands before he ate (Luke 11:37-53) and on and on and on. So...if you are thinking "I am just doing what God has called me to do and I am getting criticized for it".....Yep! You are in good company because so did Jesus!
The second thing we need to understand is how to handle it because I don't know about you, but I want to defend myself, my actions, my calling....me. Do you see the problem? The focus is on me not God. When we read each story about Jesus and his critics...he never defends himself, not even before Pontius Pilate when he was about to be crucified. Yes, Jesus got defensive.Yes, Jesus got angry. But every time it was to defend God his father. There is a difference between Righteous anger and being "Right" anger...one defends God, the other defends yourself. Jesus knew who He was and who had sent him. He was prayed up and ready to press on. He knew these people's intentions would never overtake God's directions. At one point, his critics "mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way." (Luke 4:29-30) We have to understand that the crowd's intentions may want to push you off the cliff but God's direction is to push you through the crowd. Don't be afraid to speak up and speak out on God's behalf...not to show you are right, but to show He is. I heard a quote from Pastor Mark Batterson that said, "It's easier to act like a Christian than to react like one." We want to quiet our critics with our own voice when God is asking us to quiet them with his: His words, His actions, His forgiveness, His voice, His Spirit. So if you have critics that don't want you to pray with your team...take a stand by taking a knee. If you have critics because you're losing...keep your focus on the One that never does. If you have critics because you are succeeding....Keep your focus on the One that always does.
The third thing we need to understand is there is such a thing as constructive criticism, or I call wisdom, that we can not overlook. This is when God does use His people to speak Truth into an other's life. How do we tell the difference? 1) How they say it. If they come to you in a calm and loving way and even ask to pray before the conversation. Listen to their heart because God maybe trying to speak to yours.
2) What they say. Listen to hear if their words help you or harm you. There are some Words from God that may hurt (you might be struggling with sin or going down the wrong path), but will never harm you. We know it comes from God when True words are spoken with Grace. 3) When they say it. If you have a parent who wants to tell you how horrible of a coach you are after a game it's probably not from God. God's words are perfect and so is his timing.
Here's to quieting your critics and listening to your wisdom walkers....
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Home of the "6th man"...
We are waist deep into basketball season. The high school games are coming to an end, college games are making their last efforts so they can make the tournament, and NBA is getting ready for the All-Star break. No matter what basketball team you are a fan of or may enjoy watching there is one thing they all have in common: the 6th man. The 6th man is they person that didn't quite make the cut into the starting line up however they are the first one off the bench when someone isn't quite getting the job done on the court or needs a break mentally or physically. The NBA actually has an award for the best "6th man."
There are times in a our lives when we feel God just isn't getting the job done or God must be tired because he is not hearing me and doing what I ask. We feel God is not answering our prayers the way we think he should so we call in our 6th man...the world. Maybe you have prayed to feel accepted and you still don't so you compromise your values and stoop to gossiping. Maybe you have asked God to take away the pain emotionally and it hasn't gotten any better so you turn to things of this world: alcohol, food, shopping etc. to numb it. There are so many ways we turn to the world for answers after asking God the questions...just Ask King Saul.
We have talked a little bit about King Saul and his struggles of understanding what a true relationship with God looks like. We get another glimpse of that in 1 Samuel 28:
(After Samuel died) "And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead." vs. 3b
vs. 5 "When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or be sacred lots or by the prophets. Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and her what to do."
Like Saul, we start out by doing the right things when everything is going our way, but it is when we are opposed, tempted, or frightened when we can become weak and quickly call in the "6th man." We are so quick to turn to the world for our answers when God is just asking us to be patient and trust him when we ask the questions. We don't like this waiting because we have no control in the waiting room. Our entire lives is God asking us to give up our control so that he can have His. He is the God of relationships...so wait. He is the God of forgiveness....so wait. He is the God of love...so wait. He is the God of jobs....so wait. Because as long as we search for the answers in the world, our questions will never be answered by God.
So whatever waiting room you are waiting in today....God is working. One of my favorite verses is John 5:17..."And Jesus replied, "My father is always working and so am I." So if you have prayed and God seems silent, trust that God is working. Working in you. Working through you. Working for you.
I don't know about you...but the world needs to sit the bench!
There are times in a our lives when we feel God just isn't getting the job done or God must be tired because he is not hearing me and doing what I ask. We feel God is not answering our prayers the way we think he should so we call in our 6th man...the world. Maybe you have prayed to feel accepted and you still don't so you compromise your values and stoop to gossiping. Maybe you have asked God to take away the pain emotionally and it hasn't gotten any better so you turn to things of this world: alcohol, food, shopping etc. to numb it. There are so many ways we turn to the world for answers after asking God the questions...just Ask King Saul.
We have talked a little bit about King Saul and his struggles of understanding what a true relationship with God looks like. We get another glimpse of that in 1 Samuel 28:
(After Samuel died) "And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead." vs. 3b
vs. 5 "When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or be sacred lots or by the prophets. Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and her what to do."
Like Saul, we start out by doing the right things when everything is going our way, but it is when we are opposed, tempted, or frightened when we can become weak and quickly call in the "6th man." We are so quick to turn to the world for our answers when God is just asking us to be patient and trust him when we ask the questions. We don't like this waiting because we have no control in the waiting room. Our entire lives is God asking us to give up our control so that he can have His. He is the God of relationships...so wait. He is the God of forgiveness....so wait. He is the God of love...so wait. He is the God of jobs....so wait. Because as long as we search for the answers in the world, our questions will never be answered by God.
So whatever waiting room you are waiting in today....God is working. One of my favorite verses is John 5:17..."And Jesus replied, "My father is always working and so am I." So if you have prayed and God seems silent, trust that God is working. Working in you. Working through you. Working for you.
I don't know about you...but the world needs to sit the bench!
Friday, January 17, 2014
New year? Same Rut?
Every year....we celebrate the start of another year. Every year...we decide it's a year of new beginnings. Every year...we vow that we are going to improve ourselves. There are always things we do every year...Mary and Joseph were no different.
"Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual." Luke 2:41-42
There are things we do "every year" or "as usual" just like Mary and Joseph. We go to church...as usual. We go to work...as usual. We raise our kids...as usual. We go shopping...as usual. We go to a basketball game. as usual. The problem with "as usual" is we can find ourselves in a rut. And what happens when we get in a rut?...
"After celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first because they assumed he was among the other travelers."
Luke 2:43-44
We, too, start going down our own path without Jesus. We started doing life without Jesus.
Most of the time its not intentionally, we just do "the usual" "every year" assuming Jesus is in everything we do all the time. Yet we find ourselves....
-Making decisions without praying
-Going throughout our day not talking to God one time
-Buying things without asking God first
-Parenting our children without asking God, our father, how
-Seeking approval from people instead from God
-Making plans without consulting the Plan maker
Like Jesus' parents, at first, we don't miss him but sooner or later we find ourselves in a rut and we realize Jesus hasn't been an active part of our lives in quite some time.
So how do we get out?
"But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there." Luke 2:44-45
The first thing they did was "started looking for him". The bible teaches us "if you seek him, you will find him." We get in a rut is when we stop seeking God and we get out of a rut when we start. Start seeking God in the grocery line, the football field, the carpool line, the "can't get along with" coworker, the annoying friend that is always on your back, the mirror that seems to be so critical of you each and every morning. Seek God the Father through your relationship with God the Son. Seek God-Find yourself.
The second thing they did was search for God "among their relatives and friends". We have to surround ourselves with people that want the same things we do as a followers of Christ. We need friends and family who will push us, challenge us, and hold us accountable in our personal walk with Jesus. The Bible teaches us that "2 or better than 1 for they have good return for their work. For if one falls down, they have someone to pick them up. But pity the man that falls down and has no one to pick them up." We were not meant to go through this life alone and going through ruts will happen, but when we have Jesus loving friends and family around us they pick us up, dust us off, and say it's time to get back in the game.
The last thing they did was turn from the path they were on and "went back to Jerusalem"... In Revelation 2, Jesus says "You don't love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first." We have to go back and do the the things we did at first when we experienced Jesus for the first time. Pray, read God's word, pray, go to church, pray, join a bible study, pray, listen to christian music, pray, have dates with Jesus...oh, and pray.
Each year, God shows me a word that is "our word" throughout the whole year. This year, God has given me "intentional." I want to be intentional in everything I do, in every day I live, and in every relationship I am in. I want to do all the "usual" things, but do them with Jesus. How about you?
"Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual." Luke 2:41-42
There are things we do "every year" or "as usual" just like Mary and Joseph. We go to church...as usual. We go to work...as usual. We raise our kids...as usual. We go shopping...as usual. We go to a basketball game. as usual. The problem with "as usual" is we can find ourselves in a rut. And what happens when we get in a rut?...
"After celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first because they assumed he was among the other travelers."
Luke 2:43-44
We, too, start going down our own path without Jesus. We started doing life without Jesus.
Most of the time its not intentionally, we just do "the usual" "every year" assuming Jesus is in everything we do all the time. Yet we find ourselves....
-Making decisions without praying
-Going throughout our day not talking to God one time
-Buying things without asking God first
-Parenting our children without asking God, our father, how
-Seeking approval from people instead from God
-Making plans without consulting the Plan maker
Like Jesus' parents, at first, we don't miss him but sooner or later we find ourselves in a rut and we realize Jesus hasn't been an active part of our lives in quite some time.
So how do we get out?
"But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there." Luke 2:44-45
The first thing they did was "started looking for him". The bible teaches us "if you seek him, you will find him." We get in a rut is when we stop seeking God and we get out of a rut when we start. Start seeking God in the grocery line, the football field, the carpool line, the "can't get along with" coworker, the annoying friend that is always on your back, the mirror that seems to be so critical of you each and every morning. Seek God the Father through your relationship with God the Son. Seek God-Find yourself.
The second thing they did was search for God "among their relatives and friends". We have to surround ourselves with people that want the same things we do as a followers of Christ. We need friends and family who will push us, challenge us, and hold us accountable in our personal walk with Jesus. The Bible teaches us that "2 or better than 1 for they have good return for their work. For if one falls down, they have someone to pick them up. But pity the man that falls down and has no one to pick them up." We were not meant to go through this life alone and going through ruts will happen, but when we have Jesus loving friends and family around us they pick us up, dust us off, and say it's time to get back in the game.
The last thing they did was turn from the path they were on and "went back to Jerusalem"... In Revelation 2, Jesus says "You don't love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first." We have to go back and do the the things we did at first when we experienced Jesus for the first time. Pray, read God's word, pray, go to church, pray, join a bible study, pray, listen to christian music, pray, have dates with Jesus...oh, and pray.
Each year, God shows me a word that is "our word" throughout the whole year. This year, God has given me "intentional." I want to be intentional in everything I do, in every day I live, and in every relationship I am in. I want to do all the "usual" things, but do them with Jesus. How about you?
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The most wonderful time of the year....
One of our favorite things we like to watch on TV are the sports interest stories like ESPN's 30 for 30 or the "feel good" stories they do during College Game Day. These stories inspire us, encourage us, and give us hope. Well, it is that time of year when we get celebrate the beginning of the greatest story ever told. This is my favorite time of year, not because of the presents or the cookies or the lights, but because we are reminded, once again, of a story that inspires us encourages us, and gives us hope.
"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there were no room for them in the inn.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lords glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Do not be afraid!" I bring you you good news of great joy. The savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem" Luke 2:6-10
Like every great story there is an exciting beginning, an emotional middle, and a powerful ending. The story of Jesus is no different. The birth of Christ meant the birth of hope for nation: the Savior had been born. The one that was going to lead them. The one that was going save them. The one that was going to bring to life their hopes and dreams. THE MESSIAH. This truly was the good news that would be the world great joy.
Oh and the joy continued with this amazing life. The joy of seeing dead come to life. The hope of seeing blind men see. The dreams of seeing a man calm the storms after he walked on water. This baby that was once born in a manger truly is the Son of God. He truly is the Savior of the world.
And then the unthinkable happened. They crucified this man on a cross. What happened to our Savior? What happened to our hope? What happened to this good news of this great man that would bring us great joy? What happened to our dreams? His disciples had left their family's business and their families. People left careers. All for the hope they put into this one that was born that day in Bethlehem, but now he is dead and so were their hopes, dreams, and thoughts of restoring their nation and their lives....or so though they thought.
What people saw as an ending, God saw as another beginning: Our beginning.
Three days later this man rose from the dead...And the beginning of a new relationship with God our Father was born. The beginning of a relationship with Jesus, the son, was born. Our new life of hope was born. Hope that relationships can be saved. Hope that even though loved ones may die on this earth that we can see them again in heaven. Hope that when bad things happen, God will use those for good. Hope that we can love one another with unconditional love. Hope that our loved one will come into a relationship with Jesus. Hope that we are LOVED. He conquered death. He conquered hopelessness. He conquered loneliness. He conquered fear. He conquered worry. His life was resurrected and so was ours.When he rose...so did our hopes and dreams that we thought were dead.
I don't know what the Holiday season brings for you: joy of seeing family, pain of a missed loved one, excitement of church services, feelings of loneliness. BUT what I do know is you are welcomed at the manger because of what happened at the cross.
Here is to the celebration of beginnings: For Jesus and You!
Merry Christmas
"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there were no room for them in the inn.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lords glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Do not be afraid!" I bring you you good news of great joy. The savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem" Luke 2:6-10
Like every great story there is an exciting beginning, an emotional middle, and a powerful ending. The story of Jesus is no different. The birth of Christ meant the birth of hope for nation: the Savior had been born. The one that was going to lead them. The one that was going save them. The one that was going to bring to life their hopes and dreams. THE MESSIAH. This truly was the good news that would be the world great joy.
Oh and the joy continued with this amazing life. The joy of seeing dead come to life. The hope of seeing blind men see. The dreams of seeing a man calm the storms after he walked on water. This baby that was once born in a manger truly is the Son of God. He truly is the Savior of the world.
And then the unthinkable happened. They crucified this man on a cross. What happened to our Savior? What happened to our hope? What happened to this good news of this great man that would bring us great joy? What happened to our dreams? His disciples had left their family's business and their families. People left careers. All for the hope they put into this one that was born that day in Bethlehem, but now he is dead and so were their hopes, dreams, and thoughts of restoring their nation and their lives....or so though they thought.
What people saw as an ending, God saw as another beginning: Our beginning.
Three days later this man rose from the dead...And the beginning of a new relationship with God our Father was born. The beginning of a relationship with Jesus, the son, was born. Our new life of hope was born. Hope that relationships can be saved. Hope that even though loved ones may die on this earth that we can see them again in heaven. Hope that when bad things happen, God will use those for good. Hope that we can love one another with unconditional love. Hope that our loved one will come into a relationship with Jesus. Hope that we are LOVED. He conquered death. He conquered hopelessness. He conquered loneliness. He conquered fear. He conquered worry. His life was resurrected and so was ours.When he rose...so did our hopes and dreams that we thought were dead.
I don't know what the Holiday season brings for you: joy of seeing family, pain of a missed loved one, excitement of church services, feelings of loneliness. BUT what I do know is you are welcomed at the manger because of what happened at the cross.
Here is to the celebration of beginnings: For Jesus and You!
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
What Kind of King are you?
The most tragic stories in the sports world are the athletes with all the talent in the world throw it all down the toilet because of the decisions they made. You hear it on the radio, you read it in the newspaper, you get it over your twitter fee: "John, the starting receiver for UCLA, was arrested for drug possession again. Billy, center for the Florida Gators, was kicked off the team for driving under the influence for the third time." And on and on an on....I always ask myself, why do some kids make it and others don't? Why do some kids "get it" and others don't? How can kids with equal God-given gifts, equal talent make a name doing what they love and others are willing to throw it all away? How could they waste the opportunities God has placed before them? I know every athlete and every person makes bad choices, but what does it take to screw up everything God has given you. As I was reading about the lives of Saul and David, these same questions kept coming up. They were both chosen by God to be King. They were both given great gifts and opportunities. They both disobeyed God. So why did God find favor over one and and not the other? Why did one succeed as king and one failed as king?
Let me give you a little background on each one of them...
Saul:
-Dad was wealthy
-He was tall and handsome
-Didn't have a religious background
-very insecure
-He was paranoid
-When he was Chosen to be king, they couldn't find him because he was hiding
David:
-Son of a farmer
-To the eye of people he wasn't anything special which is why God said, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart." (That's like saying..."She has a great personality...."
-Grew up hearing about the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
-When he was chosen to be king, he was working in his father's fields tending to the sheep
-Was called "a man after God's own heart
As we see, they didn't have a lot in common. But it wasn't their differences that made one succeed and the other one not. It wasn't their background that made one a great King and the other one not. It was all about the heart. It wasn't just about their actions (because they both screwed up) but their hearts. It wasn't about their "good" intentions but their hearts. It wasn't what they did, but the heart behind why they did it.
For instance in 1 Samuel 13 before they were going into battle, they were supposed to offer a sacrifice, but Saul didn't want to wait on Samuel so he just did it himself. God was not happy...not because what he did, but why he did it. God knew Saul made the sacrifice, not out of love for God, but because he wanted to win the battle. Saul didn't want God, just victories from God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God when he was suppose to destroy everything in battle, but Saul kept the best of everything for themselves. When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul's reply was "But we were going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God."
Once again, we see there is no personal relationship with God himself...it's "your God" not "my God." He even consulted a Psychic when he felt God wasn't listening. Everything Saul did was about Saul. Even though he was chosen by God to fulfill God's mission...he never fully surrendered to doing it God's way.
If you want to see the heart behind David and his relationship with God, just read the book of Psalms.
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need...O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you,
my God....Show me the right path, O Lord, Lead me by your truth and teach me, For
you are the God that saves me. All day long I put my hope in you...."
When David committed aduletry and murder to cover it up....
"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great
compassion blot out the stains of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from
my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night....Oh give me my joy
back, you have broken me- now let me rejoice..."
Do you see the heart difference?
Saul pleaded to Samuel
David pleaded to God
Saul sought council from a psychic
David sought wisdom from God
Saul was sorry
David was repentant
Saul was desperate
David was broken
Saul wanted God's favor
David wanted God forgiveness
Saul wanted victories from God
David wanted God
We have all been given the opportunities to do great things for the Kingdom of God. We have been chosen to share in his Kingdom by our relationship with the King of Kings..Jesus. We get to be co-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom of God. Now what will we do with it? Will we hide behind the baggage when God calls us to do something or believe so much in the power of God that we are willing to fight a giant? Will we have so much faith in our God that it covers the insecurities of ourselves? Will we believe that we have been chosen by God when we have been overlooked by people? When we pray, will it be to tell God what we need or ask God what He wants? When we make mistakes, will we make excuses or fall at the feet of God ask to God to not just forgive us, but to change us? Which King will you be....
King Saul OR King David
Let me give you a little background on each one of them...
Saul:
-Dad was wealthy
-He was tall and handsome
-Didn't have a religious background
-very insecure
-He was paranoid
-When he was Chosen to be king, they couldn't find him because he was hiding
David:
-Son of a farmer
-To the eye of people he wasn't anything special which is why God said, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart." (That's like saying..."She has a great personality...."
-Grew up hearing about the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
-When he was chosen to be king, he was working in his father's fields tending to the sheep
-Was called "a man after God's own heart
As we see, they didn't have a lot in common. But it wasn't their differences that made one succeed and the other one not. It wasn't their background that made one a great King and the other one not. It was all about the heart. It wasn't just about their actions (because they both screwed up) but their hearts. It wasn't about their "good" intentions but their hearts. It wasn't what they did, but the heart behind why they did it.
For instance in 1 Samuel 13 before they were going into battle, they were supposed to offer a sacrifice, but Saul didn't want to wait on Samuel so he just did it himself. God was not happy...not because what he did, but why he did it. God knew Saul made the sacrifice, not out of love for God, but because he wanted to win the battle. Saul didn't want God, just victories from God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God when he was suppose to destroy everything in battle, but Saul kept the best of everything for themselves. When Samuel confronted Saul, Saul's reply was "But we were going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God."
Once again, we see there is no personal relationship with God himself...it's "your God" not "my God." He even consulted a Psychic when he felt God wasn't listening. Everything Saul did was about Saul. Even though he was chosen by God to fulfill God's mission...he never fully surrendered to doing it God's way.
If you want to see the heart behind David and his relationship with God, just read the book of Psalms.
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need...O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you,
my God....Show me the right path, O Lord, Lead me by your truth and teach me, For
you are the God that saves me. All day long I put my hope in you...."
When David committed aduletry and murder to cover it up....
"Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great
compassion blot out the stains of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from
my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night....Oh give me my joy
back, you have broken me- now let me rejoice..."
Do you see the heart difference?
Saul pleaded to Samuel
David pleaded to God
Saul sought council from a psychic
David sought wisdom from God
Saul was sorry
David was repentant
Saul was desperate
David was broken
Saul wanted God's favor
David wanted God forgiveness
Saul wanted victories from God
David wanted God
We have all been given the opportunities to do great things for the Kingdom of God. We have been chosen to share in his Kingdom by our relationship with the King of Kings..Jesus. We get to be co-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom of God. Now what will we do with it? Will we hide behind the baggage when God calls us to do something or believe so much in the power of God that we are willing to fight a giant? Will we have so much faith in our God that it covers the insecurities of ourselves? Will we believe that we have been chosen by God when we have been overlooked by people? When we pray, will it be to tell God what we need or ask God what He wants? When we make mistakes, will we make excuses or fall at the feet of God ask to God to not just forgive us, but to change us? Which King will you be....
King Saul OR King David
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