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"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher, told a story about a goose who was wounded and landed in a barnyard with some chickens. He played with the chickens and ate with the chickens. After a while, that goose thought he was a chicken.
One day a gaggle of geese flew overhead, migrating home. They gave a honk up in the sky, and the barnyard goose heard it.
Kierkegaard said, "Something stirred within the breast of this goose. Something called him to the skies. He began to flap the wings he hadn't used, and he rose a few feet into the air. Then he stopped, and he settled back again into the mud of the barnyard. He heard the upward call, but he settled for less."
Is there a chance that this story is about you?
Are you settling for being less than you know in your heart God has called you and created you to be? It's not just for your sake that you must respond to God's call on your life -- it's also for all the other meaningful people in your life. The longer you wait before answering, the more annoying your life becomes to those around you. There are few things as disruptive to the peace and well-being of other people than a person who is running from God. How many lives are being distressed because you won’t answer the call?
And besides, are you really that happy clucking with chickens?
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Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Doing the King's Business
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"Do business with this until I return.” (Luke 19:13)
At the young age of twelve Jesus said, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). What were you doing when you were twelve? What are you doing now? Let me ask it this way, “What must you do with your life?” Sooner or later we each must be able to answer that question with clarity and conviction. The sooner the better.
I once read where an economist said, “Unemployment is a characteristic unique to the human species only. All other creatures and created things seem to know what they are supposed to be doing—and are doing it.” Do you know what you’re supposed to be doing? And, are you doing it?
General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was asked the secret of his amazing Christian life. Booth answered, "I told the Lord that he could have all that there is of William Booth.” God took that one life, filled it with vision, passion, discipline, and risk—and our world is a better place because of it. What on earth could happen if you were to fully give your life to Christ? And He were to fill it with vision, passion, discipline and risk? What army might you lead for Christ!?
John Wesley wrote, “The Possessor of heaven and earth placed you here, not as a proprietor, but as a steward.” My friends, the King has entrusted you with His goods, and now He trusts you to use them to do His business. The question we must answer is, What is the King’s business?
In a sentence it is this -- “Jesus went about doing good,healing all who oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
Jesus came to preach the Gospel in a way that went beyond words. He came to seek and to save that which was lost; destroying the power of the devil, and giving life abundantly to all who trust Him. Now He has committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation, that we may do for others as He has done for us.
That’s the King’s business. Are you doing it?
.
"Do business with this until I return.” (Luke 19:13)
At the young age of twelve Jesus said, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). What were you doing when you were twelve? What are you doing now? Let me ask it this way, “What must you do with your life?” Sooner or later we each must be able to answer that question with clarity and conviction. The sooner the better.
I once read where an economist said, “Unemployment is a characteristic unique to the human species only. All other creatures and created things seem to know what they are supposed to be doing—and are doing it.” Do you know what you’re supposed to be doing? And, are you doing it?
General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was asked the secret of his amazing Christian life. Booth answered, "I told the Lord that he could have all that there is of William Booth.” God took that one life, filled it with vision, passion, discipline, and risk—and our world is a better place because of it. What on earth could happen if you were to fully give your life to Christ? And He were to fill it with vision, passion, discipline and risk? What army might you lead for Christ!?
John Wesley wrote, “The Possessor of heaven and earth placed you here, not as a proprietor, but as a steward.” My friends, the King has entrusted you with His goods, and now He trusts you to use them to do His business. The question we must answer is, What is the King’s business?
In a sentence it is this -- “Jesus went about doing good,healing all who oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
Jesus came to preach the Gospel in a way that went beyond words. He came to seek and to save that which was lost; destroying the power of the devil, and giving life abundantly to all who trust Him. Now He has committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation, that we may do for others as He has done for us.
That’s the King’s business. Are you doing it?
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Saturday, June 28, 2008
You Got the Goods!
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"He delivered unto them his goods.” (Matthew 25:14)
Few things are more frustrating to people than to be faced with a task and not be given the time, the training, or the tools to get the job done. And few situations are more likely to produce this frustration in a person than the general state of affairs in contemporary church life.
While the sermons are theologically sound, verbally astute, and passionately presented—more often than not they end up being completely useless. At least when it comes to really training and equipping men and women to actually make a difference in their daily world.
The disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And Jesus did so. On another occasion Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They followed, and Jesus delivered on His promise. These two occasions show us that the desire to be taught the things of the Spirit is strong in the heart of godly men and women, and that Jesus is more than accommodating.
Furthermore, Jesus doesn’t just train us, He also entrusts us with the resources to get the job done. As the scripture says, “He delivered unto them his goods.”
How strange it must have been for a fisherman named Simon Peter to be called by an itinerant rabbi named Jesus, to follow Him so as to become a “fisher of men.” In his later years Peter wrote, “His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). He was writing from personal experience. Jesus called him, trained him, trusted him, and entrusted him with the high privilege of presenting the Gospel to ordinary men and women with extraordinary results—thousands were saved!
Peter had no idea that first day he met Jesus just how radically different his life would become in a few short years. The same is true of you. Your life matters to God far more than you may realize. And by placing it fully in His hands, trusting Him to keep you in step with His Spirit, you can do whatever the Lord has called you to do—for He has also given you everything you need to get the job done.
You got the goods!
.
"He delivered unto them his goods.” (Matthew 25:14)
Few things are more frustrating to people than to be faced with a task and not be given the time, the training, or the tools to get the job done. And few situations are more likely to produce this frustration in a person than the general state of affairs in contemporary church life.
While the sermons are theologically sound, verbally astute, and passionately presented—more often than not they end up being completely useless. At least when it comes to really training and equipping men and women to actually make a difference in their daily world.
The disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And Jesus did so. On another occasion Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They followed, and Jesus delivered on His promise. These two occasions show us that the desire to be taught the things of the Spirit is strong in the heart of godly men and women, and that Jesus is more than accommodating.
Furthermore, Jesus doesn’t just train us, He also entrusts us with the resources to get the job done. As the scripture says, “He delivered unto them his goods.”
How strange it must have been for a fisherman named Simon Peter to be called by an itinerant rabbi named Jesus, to follow Him so as to become a “fisher of men.” In his later years Peter wrote, “His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). He was writing from personal experience. Jesus called him, trained him, trusted him, and entrusted him with the high privilege of presenting the Gospel to ordinary men and women with extraordinary results—thousands were saved!
Peter had no idea that first day he met Jesus just how radically different his life would become in a few short years. The same is true of you. Your life matters to God far more than you may realize. And by placing it fully in His hands, trusting Him to keep you in step with His Spirit, you can do whatever the Lord has called you to do—for He has also given you everything you need to get the job done.
You got the goods!
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Friday, June 27, 2008
A Man Called Peter
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“Follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you a fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19).
This is how Simon Peter’s journey with Jesus began — he was given a vision of being something other than what he was. It is also how our journeys begin. Christ saw him not simply as he was, but as he would be. And Jesus committed Himself to making Peter everything he had the potential of becoming. But Peter had to answer the call. And so do you.
Peter could have said no. He could have stayed with the nets and the boat and the fish, and followed in the traditions of his father. He could have remained in Capernaum, his home town, and lived out his days in anonymous mediocrity. And so can you.
But Peter said yes! And as a result, he not only walked on water—he walked into history! He became a cherished hero to millions of Christ-followers throughout history, who see in Peter so much of themselves.
Jesus gave him vision, and this produced a passion that marked Peter throughout his life. His eagerness to impress Jesus, his moodiness when rebuked, his crazy zeal in vowing to be faithful when others fell away — all these and more stem from his deep, abiding passion for Christ.
The Lord added to Peter’s vision and passion the necessary ingredient of discipline — otherwise Peter would not have gone the distance. He responded to the process of being disciplined, and was therefore not only willing, but able, to take remarkable risks as a faithful follower of Jesus. Vision, passion, discipline and risk. That’s how Peter did it.
And now it’s your turn. As Peter followed Jesus on the path of vision, passion, discipline and risk -- and thereby stepped into the pages of history -- so you, too, can do the same. The only question we all are asking is, "Will you?"
.
“Follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you a fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19).
This is how Simon Peter’s journey with Jesus began — he was given a vision of being something other than what he was. It is also how our journeys begin. Christ saw him not simply as he was, but as he would be. And Jesus committed Himself to making Peter everything he had the potential of becoming. But Peter had to answer the call. And so do you.
Peter could have said no. He could have stayed with the nets and the boat and the fish, and followed in the traditions of his father. He could have remained in Capernaum, his home town, and lived out his days in anonymous mediocrity. And so can you.
But Peter said yes! And as a result, he not only walked on water—he walked into history! He became a cherished hero to millions of Christ-followers throughout history, who see in Peter so much of themselves.
Jesus gave him vision, and this produced a passion that marked Peter throughout his life. His eagerness to impress Jesus, his moodiness when rebuked, his crazy zeal in vowing to be faithful when others fell away — all these and more stem from his deep, abiding passion for Christ.
The Lord added to Peter’s vision and passion the necessary ingredient of discipline — otherwise Peter would not have gone the distance. He responded to the process of being disciplined, and was therefore not only willing, but able, to take remarkable risks as a faithful follower of Jesus. Vision, passion, discipline and risk. That’s how Peter did it.
And now it’s your turn. As Peter followed Jesus on the path of vision, passion, discipline and risk -- and thereby stepped into the pages of history -- so you, too, can do the same. The only question we all are asking is, "Will you?"
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Those Who Answered the Call
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"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Abraham traveling into the unknown, Joseph remaining faithful in Egypt, Moses crossing the Red Sea, Joshua conquering the Promised Land, Deborah lifting her sword in battle against the Midianites, Ruth returning with Naomi to the land of Canaan, David slaying a Giant and becoming a King, Isaiah telling his visions, Zechariah telling his dreams, Daniel in the Lion’s den, Nehemiah rebuilding the Walls, Zerubbabel rebuilding the Temple, Simon Peter leaving his fishing nets, Paul preaching the Gospel, John writing the Revelation—each one of these ordinary men and women heard and answered the call of God, and as a result lived extraordinary lives.
Vision, passion, discipline and risk—these are the marks of a noble fellowship assembled by the Son of God down through the ages; men and women called out of mediocrity into magnificence; followers of Jesus from each generation who have left their world better than they found it. They each heard God’s voice and followed Him with trusting hearts—marked by vision, passion, discipline and risk. And now it’s your turn.
The Lord longs for you to answer the call on your life and be a part of this timeless Team. And in your heart you know it’s what you want to do more than anything else in the world!
I pray, in the words of Paul, that God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness in your life, and bring to pass with His power each and every work of faith you perform for His honor!
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"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Abraham traveling into the unknown, Joseph remaining faithful in Egypt, Moses crossing the Red Sea, Joshua conquering the Promised Land, Deborah lifting her sword in battle against the Midianites, Ruth returning with Naomi to the land of Canaan, David slaying a Giant and becoming a King, Isaiah telling his visions, Zechariah telling his dreams, Daniel in the Lion’s den, Nehemiah rebuilding the Walls, Zerubbabel rebuilding the Temple, Simon Peter leaving his fishing nets, Paul preaching the Gospel, John writing the Revelation—each one of these ordinary men and women heard and answered the call of God, and as a result lived extraordinary lives.
Vision, passion, discipline and risk—these are the marks of a noble fellowship assembled by the Son of God down through the ages; men and women called out of mediocrity into magnificence; followers of Jesus from each generation who have left their world better than they found it. They each heard God’s voice and followed Him with trusting hearts—marked by vision, passion, discipline and risk. And now it’s your turn.
The Lord longs for you to answer the call on your life and be a part of this timeless Team. And in your heart you know it’s what you want to do more than anything else in the world!
I pray, in the words of Paul, that God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness in your life, and bring to pass with His power each and every work of faith you perform for His honor!
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Call of the King
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"He called ten of His servants." (Luke 19:13)
Have you ever been in a place where the phone kept ringing and nobody answered it? In moments like that it seems everybody is busy with something else, assuming that somebody else will answer the call. But nobody does. After awhile it can get to be quite annoying. There is something irritating about an incessant, unanswered call.
Over the years I have noticed a similar thing in the lives of many people — a call that is not being answered. A call from God. Busy with so many other things, and sure that the call is for someone else, many men loose themselves in trivial moments and miss the momentous opportunity to answer the call of God on their lives. Have you answered the call?
Missing out on God’s call for your life would be the worst thing that could happen. Research shows that one of the greatest fears men face is having lived a meaningless life; a life that didn’t matter; a life that made no difference. This dreadful thought haunts even the most accomplished of individuals. Maybe it haunts you even now.
Os Guinness wrote, “Our passion is to know that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All other standards of success—wealth, power, position, knowledge, and friendships—all grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing.”
Each of us long to know that our lives counted; that we accomplished what we were put on this earth to do. Yet, in an odd contradiction, nothing is more common than unrealized potential. Most of us settle for far less than we are capable of being, and of doing. On the one hand we want our lives to count; on the other hand, we seem far too willing to become marginalized into mediocrity.
Our only hope is to answer the call of God upon our lives.
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"He called ten of His servants." (Luke 19:13)
Have you ever been in a place where the phone kept ringing and nobody answered it? In moments like that it seems everybody is busy with something else, assuming that somebody else will answer the call. But nobody does. After awhile it can get to be quite annoying. There is something irritating about an incessant, unanswered call.
Over the years I have noticed a similar thing in the lives of many people — a call that is not being answered. A call from God. Busy with so many other things, and sure that the call is for someone else, many men loose themselves in trivial moments and miss the momentous opportunity to answer the call of God on their lives. Have you answered the call?
Missing out on God’s call for your life would be the worst thing that could happen. Research shows that one of the greatest fears men face is having lived a meaningless life; a life that didn’t matter; a life that made no difference. This dreadful thought haunts even the most accomplished of individuals. Maybe it haunts you even now.
Os Guinness wrote, “Our passion is to know that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All other standards of success—wealth, power, position, knowledge, and friendships—all grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing.”
Each of us long to know that our lives counted; that we accomplished what we were put on this earth to do. Yet, in an odd contradiction, nothing is more common than unrealized potential. Most of us settle for far less than we are capable of being, and of doing. On the one hand we want our lives to count; on the other hand, we seem far too willing to become marginalized into mediocrity.
Our only hope is to answer the call of God upon our lives.
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Old Junk Yard Dog
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"I free you this day from the chains that were on your hand." (Jeremiah 40:4)
Two good ol’ boys went to the local junk yard to rummage for car parts. The owner told them to go out back and find what they needed, and then he would work out a price with them.
“You boys watch out for my dog,” he told them. “He’s out there to keep thieves from breaking in at night, so he shouldn’t bother you. But just in case, keep your eyes opened.”
The two went cautiously into the yard, more than a little concerned about running into the old man’s dog. Slowly working their way around, they came upon an old abandoned well. “How deep do you think it is?” one said to the other. “I don’t know,” he replied, “let’s throws a brick down it and see how long it takes to hit the bottom.” They never heard it hit.
Seeing an old car battery nearby they threw it down the well, thinking a heavier object would be easier to hear. Still no sound. “Hey, let’s throw this old engine block down the well,” one said., “it’s so heavy we’re bound to hear it hit bottom.”
As soon as they dropped the engine, the junk yard dog came racing from around an old wreck. His teeth were glistening in the sun, his growl sounded like a crazed lion, his eyes were blood red with rage, and white foam was streaming from both sides of his mouth. He jumped right at the two men. Fortunately for them the dog missed and fell down in the well.
The old man, hearing all the racket, came out of the shop and asked, “Are you boys alright?”
“Yes sir," they answered.
“My dog didn’t bite you, did he? I heard him barking. Is everything OK?”
“Well, sir,” they replied, “we don’t know how to tell you this…but your dog just jumped down the well.”
The old man stared in disbelief, and then said, “No, that’s not possible. I had him chained up to an old engine block.”
What are you chained to today? If it goes down, are you going down with it? The Lord "sets you free this day from the chains that were upon your hands!" Walk in freedom, and leave the junk for others.
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"I free you this day from the chains that were on your hand." (Jeremiah 40:4)
Two good ol’ boys went to the local junk yard to rummage for car parts. The owner told them to go out back and find what they needed, and then he would work out a price with them.
“You boys watch out for my dog,” he told them. “He’s out there to keep thieves from breaking in at night, so he shouldn’t bother you. But just in case, keep your eyes opened.”
The two went cautiously into the yard, more than a little concerned about running into the old man’s dog. Slowly working their way around, they came upon an old abandoned well. “How deep do you think it is?” one said to the other. “I don’t know,” he replied, “let’s throws a brick down it and see how long it takes to hit the bottom.” They never heard it hit.
Seeing an old car battery nearby they threw it down the well, thinking a heavier object would be easier to hear. Still no sound. “Hey, let’s throw this old engine block down the well,” one said., “it’s so heavy we’re bound to hear it hit bottom.”
As soon as they dropped the engine, the junk yard dog came racing from around an old wreck. His teeth were glistening in the sun, his growl sounded like a crazed lion, his eyes were blood red with rage, and white foam was streaming from both sides of his mouth. He jumped right at the two men. Fortunately for them the dog missed and fell down in the well.
The old man, hearing all the racket, came out of the shop and asked, “Are you boys alright?”
“Yes sir," they answered.
“My dog didn’t bite you, did he? I heard him barking. Is everything OK?”
“Well, sir,” they replied, “we don’t know how to tell you this…but your dog just jumped down the well.”
The old man stared in disbelief, and then said, “No, that’s not possible. I had him chained up to an old engine block.”
What are you chained to today? If it goes down, are you going down with it? The Lord "sets you free this day from the chains that were upon your hands!" Walk in freedom, and leave the junk for others.
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Monday, June 23, 2008
The Compelling Power of a Noble Purpose
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"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
There have been many great men and women throughout history, each shaping their world in significant ways that have lasted well beyond their time. In each and every one has been the indisputable presence of vision, passion, discipline and risk. There was no mountain too high, no valley too low, no ocean too wide, and no challenge too great to withstand the prevailing effects of vision, passion, discipline and risk at work in each of their lives. Such is the compelling power of a noble purpose.
Of all the amazing figures who have passed through the Gates of Time into the Grand Hallway of human history, none is more singular and unsurpassed than Jesus of Nazareth, who is called Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Like all the others, Jesus was mission-focused. He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Everything about Him — His teaching, His miracles, and His death — everything served this one purpose. John the Beloved, Jesus' best friend, wrote, "for this purpose the Son of God was manifested -- that He might destroy the works of the devil."
Jesus had a clear and compelling vision, evident even in His childhood. “I must be about My Father’s business,” he said at the young age of twelve. His passion, ever ablaze in His sermons and always abundant in His miracles, carried Him all the way to the old rugged Cross. His discipline, which He cultivated in the dry depths of solitude and expressed in the flood-tides of uncompromising devotion, sustained Him through the agony of death. And there, on a hill far away, He risked absolutely everything just to save you and me.
Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote, “We succeed in life as in war, only as we are able to identify a single, over-riding objective and then bend all other considerations to that one thing.” May I ask, what is the “one thing” to which you bend all other considerations in your life? What is the noble purpose which gives compelling power to the life your now live?
What would your friends say it is?
.
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
There have been many great men and women throughout history, each shaping their world in significant ways that have lasted well beyond their time. In each and every one has been the indisputable presence of vision, passion, discipline and risk. There was no mountain too high, no valley too low, no ocean too wide, and no challenge too great to withstand the prevailing effects of vision, passion, discipline and risk at work in each of their lives. Such is the compelling power of a noble purpose.
Of all the amazing figures who have passed through the Gates of Time into the Grand Hallway of human history, none is more singular and unsurpassed than Jesus of Nazareth, who is called Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Like all the others, Jesus was mission-focused. He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Everything about Him — His teaching, His miracles, and His death — everything served this one purpose. John the Beloved, Jesus' best friend, wrote, "for this purpose the Son of God was manifested -- that He might destroy the works of the devil."
Jesus had a clear and compelling vision, evident even in His childhood. “I must be about My Father’s business,” he said at the young age of twelve. His passion, ever ablaze in His sermons and always abundant in His miracles, carried Him all the way to the old rugged Cross. His discipline, which He cultivated in the dry depths of solitude and expressed in the flood-tides of uncompromising devotion, sustained Him through the agony of death. And there, on a hill far away, He risked absolutely everything just to save you and me.
Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote, “We succeed in life as in war, only as we are able to identify a single, over-riding objective and then bend all other considerations to that one thing.” May I ask, what is the “one thing” to which you bend all other considerations in your life? What is the noble purpose which gives compelling power to the life your now live?
What would your friends say it is?
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Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Life Worth Living
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Jesus said, "I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure." (John 10:10, Complete Jewish Bible)
Your life is a mission underway. Every day that you live, every breath that you take, every talent you have, every person you meet, everything that you do -- all factor into the purpose God has for your life. You are an ambassador for Christ, a merchant of hope, a bringer of good news. And the Lord is with you everywhere you go.
His desire is that you live life in its fullest measure -- that you know His presence, sense His pleasure, love His people, serve His purpose, experience His power, receive His provision, and show forth His praises.
His words, spoken from a mountainside so long ago, ring clear and true into every nook and cranny of our world today -- "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me, “ Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18~20).
These are our standing orders, and we each must give account one day for the one life we have lived. Vision, passion, discipline and risk are how that life is lived.
Vision produces passion as surely as a spark ignites a fire. Vision and passion produce discipline, for one whose heart is stirred by a noble cause will pay any price to see it realized. Vision, passion and discipline provide the safest environment for one to take the greatest risks. And make no mistake about it—there is no way to live a fully effective Christian life apart from taking risks. The apostle Paul said it this way, “ Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there is no way getting around it!” (2 Timothy 3:12, The Message).
Vision, passion, discipline and risk—the benefits of having these qualities in your life will be enormous. Think about it—can you see how wonderful it would be to help your friends and loved ones find forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ? Does your heart stir with a passion to do something that can help change the social climate of a nation by the power of the Gospel? Are you living within the guidelines of God’s will for your life as an ambassador for Christ? And, will you take the risk associated with standing up and speaking the truth for Jesus Christ?
Vision, passion, discipline and risk. It’s what makes life worth living!
.
Jesus said, "I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure." (John 10:10, Complete Jewish Bible)
Your life is a mission underway. Every day that you live, every breath that you take, every talent you have, every person you meet, everything that you do -- all factor into the purpose God has for your life. You are an ambassador for Christ, a merchant of hope, a bringer of good news. And the Lord is with you everywhere you go.
His desire is that you live life in its fullest measure -- that you know His presence, sense His pleasure, love His people, serve His purpose, experience His power, receive His provision, and show forth His praises.
His words, spoken from a mountainside so long ago, ring clear and true into every nook and cranny of our world today -- "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me, “ Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18~20).
These are our standing orders, and we each must give account one day for the one life we have lived. Vision, passion, discipline and risk are how that life is lived.
Vision produces passion as surely as a spark ignites a fire. Vision and passion produce discipline, for one whose heart is stirred by a noble cause will pay any price to see it realized. Vision, passion and discipline provide the safest environment for one to take the greatest risks. And make no mistake about it—there is no way to live a fully effective Christian life apart from taking risks. The apostle Paul said it this way, “ Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there is no way getting around it!” (2 Timothy 3:12, The Message).
Vision, passion, discipline and risk—the benefits of having these qualities in your life will be enormous. Think about it—can you see how wonderful it would be to help your friends and loved ones find forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ? Does your heart stir with a passion to do something that can help change the social climate of a nation by the power of the Gospel? Are you living within the guidelines of God’s will for your life as an ambassador for Christ? And, will you take the risk associated with standing up and speaking the truth for Jesus Christ?
Vision, passion, discipline and risk. It’s what makes life worth living!
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Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Gospel in a Single Sentence
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"A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.” (Luke 19:12).
Jesus began a story with this brief sentence; a sentence, which in its brevity spans the entire fullness of the Gospel. Let me explain. The word certain means “unique and distinct”, as in “only begotten Son.” There has never been, nor will there ever be any other man like Jesus of Nazareth. He was born of a Virgin, without sin in any way. This is certain.
The Bible says, “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus is God’s only Son. Therefore, Jesus is man’s only Savior. As one preacher said, "Christ is not one of many ways to God, nor is he the best of several ways. He is the only way." Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me." Christ is the way unchanging; He is the truth infallible; He is the life everlasting. Jesus is the way that you might be saved. He is the truth that you might be sure. He is the life that you might be satisfied.
The word nobleman speaks of the sinless life this certain man lived among us. He was tempted in all points like us, yet without sin. Never once — in thought, word, or deed — did Jesus ever sin. This uniquely qualifies Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sinners. Having no sins of His own to die for, His death on the cross now covers all of our sins!
His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven are all included in the words “went to a distant country” -- for that is how the Nobleman passed from this earth into Heaven.
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” He is there in heaven even now doing just that. And while there He “ever lives to make intercession” (Heb.7:25). In other words, He loves to pray for you as He sits at His Father’s right hand. Let me ask you, when was the last time you asked Jesus to pray for you? Why not ask Him now!
Jesus, the Nobleman, went to a far country “to receive a kingdom for himself.” This is clearly referring to the exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord. For “God has given Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (see Phil.2:9-11).
And, last but not least, the phrase “and then return” assures us of the hope of all Ages—the Second Coming of Christ!
The gospel in a single sentence — "A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.” Commit this sentence to memory and use it as a mental outline for sharing your faith with your friends and family members.
Here, in the simplest of words, is the Gospel that we preach. Jesus was born without sin, and He lived without sinning. When He died on the cross, having no sins of His own to pay for, He paid the price for our sins. He was buried, and on the third day God raised Him from the dead—since Death had no rightful claim upon a sinless man. He was then taken into heaven and declared to be the Lord of all, the evidence of which is the Holy Spirit poured forth in our world establishing the influence of Christ’s Kingdom in the hearts and lives of men and women from every tribe and nation. One day, at a time known only to God, Christ will return to this earth and abolish sin and death by creating a new heaven and a new earth, filled with the glory of God.
That’s it. So simple even a child can understand it. Those who believe this and turn from their sins, trusting Christ for salvation, will be born again by the Spirit of God and brought into God’s purpose for their lives here on earth.
.
"A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.” (Luke 19:12).
Jesus began a story with this brief sentence; a sentence, which in its brevity spans the entire fullness of the Gospel. Let me explain. The word certain means “unique and distinct”, as in “only begotten Son.” There has never been, nor will there ever be any other man like Jesus of Nazareth. He was born of a Virgin, without sin in any way. This is certain.
The Bible says, “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus is God’s only Son. Therefore, Jesus is man’s only Savior. As one preacher said, "Christ is not one of many ways to God, nor is he the best of several ways. He is the only way." Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me." Christ is the way unchanging; He is the truth infallible; He is the life everlasting. Jesus is the way that you might be saved. He is the truth that you might be sure. He is the life that you might be satisfied.
The word nobleman speaks of the sinless life this certain man lived among us. He was tempted in all points like us, yet without sin. Never once — in thought, word, or deed — did Jesus ever sin. This uniquely qualifies Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sinners. Having no sins of His own to die for, His death on the cross now covers all of our sins!
His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven are all included in the words “went to a distant country” -- for that is how the Nobleman passed from this earth into Heaven.
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” He is there in heaven even now doing just that. And while there He “ever lives to make intercession” (Heb.7:25). In other words, He loves to pray for you as He sits at His Father’s right hand. Let me ask you, when was the last time you asked Jesus to pray for you? Why not ask Him now!
Jesus, the Nobleman, went to a far country “to receive a kingdom for himself.” This is clearly referring to the exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord. For “God has given Him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (see Phil.2:9-11).
And, last but not least, the phrase “and then return” assures us of the hope of all Ages—the Second Coming of Christ!
The gospel in a single sentence — "A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.” Commit this sentence to memory and use it as a mental outline for sharing your faith with your friends and family members.
Here, in the simplest of words, is the Gospel that we preach. Jesus was born without sin, and He lived without sinning. When He died on the cross, having no sins of His own to pay for, He paid the price for our sins. He was buried, and on the third day God raised Him from the dead—since Death had no rightful claim upon a sinless man. He was then taken into heaven and declared to be the Lord of all, the evidence of which is the Holy Spirit poured forth in our world establishing the influence of Christ’s Kingdom in the hearts and lives of men and women from every tribe and nation. One day, at a time known only to God, Christ will return to this earth and abolish sin and death by creating a new heaven and a new earth, filled with the glory of God.
That’s it. So simple even a child can understand it. Those who believe this and turn from their sins, trusting Christ for salvation, will be born again by the Spirit of God and brought into God’s purpose for their lives here on earth.
.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Good News People in a Bad News Day
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"How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)
A Storm is coming, and we will need good footwear in order to walk through the aftermath of its disruptive, destructive force. The best footwear possible, in Paul's words, is to have your feet "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"(Ephesians 6:15). In other words, we must be ready to be good news people in a bad news day.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). When those things that men have placed their faith in fail, and leave them bewildered and embittered -- then, more than ever, will they need those who have walked the path of peace with Jesus to stand on solid footing and say, "Your God reigns!"
Can we count on you? Or is it possible that you yourself are so entwined in the affairs of this world that any disruption of its comforts and causes will find you unprepared in that day?
There is an old truth that says, "You cannot give away what you do not have." If you do not have the peace that Jesus gives, how will you be able to pass it along to others?
Paul stood unwavering on the deck of a sinking ship in the midst of a hell-storm at sea and said, "I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me." (Acts 27:22-25).
Do you know to whom you belong? Do you know whom you are serving? Has He spoken words of comfort to your soul in times of upheaval and unrest? Do you believe that His word will come to pass as He has spoken to you?
If so, then strap those boots on your feet, and get ready to take your stand in a day when all hell breaks loose, and men's hearts are failing them for fear. Be a good news person in a bad news day!
A storm is coming.
.
"How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)
A Storm is coming, and we will need good footwear in order to walk through the aftermath of its disruptive, destructive force. The best footwear possible, in Paul's words, is to have your feet "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"(Ephesians 6:15). In other words, we must be ready to be good news people in a bad news day.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). When those things that men have placed their faith in fail, and leave them bewildered and embittered -- then, more than ever, will they need those who have walked the path of peace with Jesus to stand on solid footing and say, "Your God reigns!"
Can we count on you? Or is it possible that you yourself are so entwined in the affairs of this world that any disruption of its comforts and causes will find you unprepared in that day?
There is an old truth that says, "You cannot give away what you do not have." If you do not have the peace that Jesus gives, how will you be able to pass it along to others?
Paul stood unwavering on the deck of a sinking ship in the midst of a hell-storm at sea and said, "I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me." (Acts 27:22-25).
Do you know to whom you belong? Do you know whom you are serving? Has He spoken words of comfort to your soul in times of upheaval and unrest? Do you believe that His word will come to pass as He has spoken to you?
If so, then strap those boots on your feet, and get ready to take your stand in a day when all hell breaks loose, and men's hearts are failing them for fear. Be a good news person in a bad news day!
A storm is coming.
.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
A Storm is Coming
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"The east wind carrieth him away and he is gone; and as a storm it hurleth him out of his place." (Job 27:21, Darby)
The hope of the hypocrite is confronted by the parable of Job. "This is the portion of a wicked man," he says, "terrors shall take hold of him as waters, a tempest will steal him away in the night. The east wind will carry him away, and a storm will hurl him out of his place." (see Job 27:1-21).
You'll be sippin' tea on a hot summer day, enjoying the refreshment as you merrily go your way, when an unexpected shock changes everything. A storm is coming.
First will be what seems a simple rain, which will then turn to a downpour, and then -- as they say in Texas -- a gully washer. The hard rain will turn to hail; the kind that knocks holes in housetops. The temperature will drop dramatically, and the rain will turn to ice and sleet. Alarm will begin to seize the hearts of men -- and then a lull will come.
Sunshine will break through the clouds, and it will seem for the moment that the storm has passed. A haze will linger, lit up by the sunshine, making it difficult to see clearly what lays yet ahead -- just off the East Coast. The worst is yet to come.
A storm is coming from the East. and when it hits, there will be many things that simply will not matter anymore. Our petty squabbles, our cherished points of view, our heated debates with ignorant opponents, our blusterous speeches and pontifications, our sense of self-importance and enrichment -- none of these things will matter when the storm hits.
I suppose we ought to get prepared. Make sure you have good footwear, 'cause you're going to need it in order to walk through the aftermath of the coming storm. And even now, it might be a good idea for you to begin thinking about the things that really do matter; for it may be too late to do anything about it if you wait until the storm comes.
A storm is coming.
.
"The east wind carrieth him away and he is gone; and as a storm it hurleth him out of his place." (Job 27:21, Darby)
The hope of the hypocrite is confronted by the parable of Job. "This is the portion of a wicked man," he says, "terrors shall take hold of him as waters, a tempest will steal him away in the night. The east wind will carry him away, and a storm will hurl him out of his place." (see Job 27:1-21).
You'll be sippin' tea on a hot summer day, enjoying the refreshment as you merrily go your way, when an unexpected shock changes everything. A storm is coming.
First will be what seems a simple rain, which will then turn to a downpour, and then -- as they say in Texas -- a gully washer. The hard rain will turn to hail; the kind that knocks holes in housetops. The temperature will drop dramatically, and the rain will turn to ice and sleet. Alarm will begin to seize the hearts of men -- and then a lull will come.
Sunshine will break through the clouds, and it will seem for the moment that the storm has passed. A haze will linger, lit up by the sunshine, making it difficult to see clearly what lays yet ahead -- just off the East Coast. The worst is yet to come.
A storm is coming from the East. and when it hits, there will be many things that simply will not matter anymore. Our petty squabbles, our cherished points of view, our heated debates with ignorant opponents, our blusterous speeches and pontifications, our sense of self-importance and enrichment -- none of these things will matter when the storm hits.
I suppose we ought to get prepared. Make sure you have good footwear, 'cause you're going to need it in order to walk through the aftermath of the coming storm. And even now, it might be a good idea for you to begin thinking about the things that really do matter; for it may be too late to do anything about it if you wait until the storm comes.
A storm is coming.
.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Climbing Companions
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"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught His climbing companions." (Matthew 5:1,2, The Message)
Crowds always collect around events and individuals that are curious or exciting. Jesus was all that and more, and so naturally His ministry drew large crowds. But He knew that crowds are fickle. So when He saw His ministry attracting large crowds — He climbed a hillside. This was a decisive movement upward; an intentional maneuver sure to root out those who were only looking for the easy way, the free ride. And as the Lord expected, the crowd dispersed. You see, crowds don’t climb hillsides.
What happened next is what the Lord was after all along. Those who were apprenticed to Him — the committed — climbed with Him. Are you committed? When the crowds fade away, and following Jesus is no longer the popular thing to do, or the easy thing to do — will you be one of His climbing companions? If you will, He’ll take you to the summit!
The scripture tells us that we are “partakers of a heavenly calling” (Heb.3:1). Elsewhere it is refered to as “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14). It is the call of God upon our lives that makes mediocrity unacceptable. The word mediocrity literally means “halfway up a mountain.”
Are you going to settle for only following Christ halfway? I didn’t think so. Rather, don't you want to be known as one of Christ's climbing companions?
The old Hymn says it so well….
I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day.
Still praying as I’m upward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay.
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground!
Lord lift me up! And let me stand
By faith on Heaven’s stable land!
A higher place that I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
.
"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught His climbing companions." (Matthew 5:1,2, The Message)
Crowds always collect around events and individuals that are curious or exciting. Jesus was all that and more, and so naturally His ministry drew large crowds. But He knew that crowds are fickle. So when He saw His ministry attracting large crowds — He climbed a hillside. This was a decisive movement upward; an intentional maneuver sure to root out those who were only looking for the easy way, the free ride. And as the Lord expected, the crowd dispersed. You see, crowds don’t climb hillsides.
What happened next is what the Lord was after all along. Those who were apprenticed to Him — the committed — climbed with Him. Are you committed? When the crowds fade away, and following Jesus is no longer the popular thing to do, or the easy thing to do — will you be one of His climbing companions? If you will, He’ll take you to the summit!
The scripture tells us that we are “partakers of a heavenly calling” (Heb.3:1). Elsewhere it is refered to as “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14). It is the call of God upon our lives that makes mediocrity unacceptable. The word mediocrity literally means “halfway up a mountain.”
Are you going to settle for only following Christ halfway? I didn’t think so. Rather, don't you want to be known as one of Christ's climbing companions?
The old Hymn says it so well….
I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day.
Still praying as I’m upward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay.
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground!
Lord lift me up! And let me stand
By faith on Heaven’s stable land!
A higher place that I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
There Are No Shortcuts to Hallelujah
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"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12)
It would seem almost inevitable, I suppose, that our pace of life in a fast-track culture, which provides almost everything instantly, would ultimately bring us to a place where we naturally expected even God to work quickly in our lives -- like, I mean right now.
But to the One for whom a day is as a thousand years, suddenly comes only once in a while.
Yet we run to and fro, here and there, high and low, looking everywhere for that Hallelujah Moment; that Mount of Transfiguration experience, where hopefully a zap from glory makes up for a life of sloth. But this is not how God works. He takes six weeks to make a measly squash; six decades to make a mighty oak. How long do you think He'll spend on you -- seeing how fond of you He truly is?
Others have gone before us, and their lives each demonstrate that God is in no hurry; there are no shortcuts to Hallelujah. It takes time, troubles, tenacity, truth, and togetherness with others who are also on the journey. There are no pat answers to our perplexing questions; no quick step to get us from here to there. It takes time in the Word, in prayer, in Fellowship, in Worship, in Service -- it takes life lived each day in faith and obedience in order to experience the fullness of that for which we hunger and thirst. And, as we press on the upward way, the Lord will see to it that we have what we seek.
Then let us be done with slothfulness -- that dullness of hearing that makes us slow of heart and slack of hand -- and become followers of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.
Have you ever seen a mime perform? You know, one of those clowns that has a white face and black suit, and never utters a sound as they act out a scene with no props? That's the Greek word used in this passage when he calls us to be "followers." We are to pantomime (mimic) the lives of those who have gone on before us; we are to carry on by faith with our mouths shut, living life with no props, and being a witness for others who will then follow in our steps -- even if it means that we appear to be fools.
.
"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Hebrews 6:12)
It would seem almost inevitable, I suppose, that our pace of life in a fast-track culture, which provides almost everything instantly, would ultimately bring us to a place where we naturally expected even God to work quickly in our lives -- like, I mean right now.
But to the One for whom a day is as a thousand years, suddenly comes only once in a while.
Yet we run to and fro, here and there, high and low, looking everywhere for that Hallelujah Moment; that Mount of Transfiguration experience, where hopefully a zap from glory makes up for a life of sloth. But this is not how God works. He takes six weeks to make a measly squash; six decades to make a mighty oak. How long do you think He'll spend on you -- seeing how fond of you He truly is?
Others have gone before us, and their lives each demonstrate that God is in no hurry; there are no shortcuts to Hallelujah. It takes time, troubles, tenacity, truth, and togetherness with others who are also on the journey. There are no pat answers to our perplexing questions; no quick step to get us from here to there. It takes time in the Word, in prayer, in Fellowship, in Worship, in Service -- it takes life lived each day in faith and obedience in order to experience the fullness of that for which we hunger and thirst. And, as we press on the upward way, the Lord will see to it that we have what we seek.
Then let us be done with slothfulness -- that dullness of hearing that makes us slow of heart and slack of hand -- and become followers of those who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.
Have you ever seen a mime perform? You know, one of those clowns that has a white face and black suit, and never utters a sound as they act out a scene with no props? That's the Greek word used in this passage when he calls us to be "followers." We are to pantomime (mimic) the lives of those who have gone on before us; we are to carry on by faith with our mouths shut, living life with no props, and being a witness for others who will then follow in our steps -- even if it means that we appear to be fools.
.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Yoke is On Me
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"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29).
Balance is the key to every good thing in life. Imbalance is the root cause of many, many ills. When there is imbalance in your body, some form or another of illness will occur -- physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. When there is imbalance in your home, there will be marital problems, and family difficulties. Imbalance in your diet, or other appetites, will always results in physical challenges. Imbalance in your checkbook is definitely not a good thing. When you are imbalanced in your work, or in your recreations -- somewhere along the line of your life you will have to "pay the piper." Balance in all things is the key to every good and lasting thing in life.
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you." The Greek word He used was zugos, which means "a coupling." Specifically, it is the word used to describe the beam of balance that joins two scales together. Webster's defines balance as "an instrument for weighing; a means of judging, or deciding."
In other words, the Lord is saying here, "Take My balance upon you; learn to judge things in life, and make decisions as I do." Paul wrote to us, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ" (Philippians 2:5)
The many benefits of this Balance are profound. Any man or woman, boy or girl, upon whom this yoke is place will experience mental, emotional, physical and spiritual steadiness. They will not stumble, or fall; yet, even if they do, it will be but for a moment. For they possess a innate capacity to right themselves and regain their footing. Their lives will be graced with unflappable confidence, even in the midst of upheaval and chaos. Just like Jesus, their Unflappable Champion.
So, as you prepare yourself to go out into today's world make sure that His yoke is on you; it's the one thing that makes the difference in every other thing you think or do.
.
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29).
Balance is the key to every good thing in life. Imbalance is the root cause of many, many ills. When there is imbalance in your body, some form or another of illness will occur -- physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. When there is imbalance in your home, there will be marital problems, and family difficulties. Imbalance in your diet, or other appetites, will always results in physical challenges. Imbalance in your checkbook is definitely not a good thing. When you are imbalanced in your work, or in your recreations -- somewhere along the line of your life you will have to "pay the piper." Balance in all things is the key to every good and lasting thing in life.
Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you." The Greek word He used was zugos, which means "a coupling." Specifically, it is the word used to describe the beam of balance that joins two scales together. Webster's defines balance as "an instrument for weighing; a means of judging, or deciding."
In other words, the Lord is saying here, "Take My balance upon you; learn to judge things in life, and make decisions as I do." Paul wrote to us, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ" (Philippians 2:5)
The many benefits of this Balance are profound. Any man or woman, boy or girl, upon whom this yoke is place will experience mental, emotional, physical and spiritual steadiness. They will not stumble, or fall; yet, even if they do, it will be but for a moment. For they possess a innate capacity to right themselves and regain their footing. Their lives will be graced with unflappable confidence, even in the midst of upheaval and chaos. Just like Jesus, their Unflappable Champion.
So, as you prepare yourself to go out into today's world make sure that His yoke is on you; it's the one thing that makes the difference in every other thing you think or do.
.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 4)
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"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
We now come to the fourth and final word in our survey of the wondrous cross. The word is OBEY. Paul says, "God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Romans 6:17).
The natural sequence of these four word are beautiful in their symmetry, and powerful in their simplicity. The life-transforming work of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible -- we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead. Once yielded, it only remains for us to faithfully OBEY the Lord, and do His bidding.
The word means "to listen to something with attentive stillness, so as to conform unto what is being said." The Message says, "But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! (Romans 6:17-18)
This gives us a rich image of how the Lord shapes our lives to be more and more like Himself. It is as though the Word of God is a mold, into which our surrendered lives are poured in a yielded softness. Then, with the passing of time, we harden to the shape of the mold, and once the Lord removes it we then discover that He has used His word to remake us into what we always wanted to be! That's what happens when we OBEY!
"Holy Spirit, breath on me, until my heart is clean; let sunshine fill its inmost part, without a cloud between. Holy Spirit, breath on me, my stubborn will subdue; teach me in words of living flame what Christ would have me do. Holy Spirit, breath on me till I am all Thine own; until my will is lost in Thine, to live for Thee alone! (B. B. McKinney, 1886)
KNOW, RECKON, YIELD, and OBEY. There you have the four points of a prevailing life. May I encourage you to put this truth to the test? If so, then you will find that Truth Works!
.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
We now come to the fourth and final word in our survey of the wondrous cross. The word is OBEY. Paul says, "God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Romans 6:17).
The natural sequence of these four word are beautiful in their symmetry, and powerful in their simplicity. The life-transforming work of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible -- we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead. Once yielded, it only remains for us to faithfully OBEY the Lord, and do His bidding.
The word means "to listen to something with attentive stillness, so as to conform unto what is being said." The Message says, "But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom! (Romans 6:17-18)
This gives us a rich image of how the Lord shapes our lives to be more and more like Himself. It is as though the Word of God is a mold, into which our surrendered lives are poured in a yielded softness. Then, with the passing of time, we harden to the shape of the mold, and once the Lord removes it we then discover that He has used His word to remake us into what we always wanted to be! That's what happens when we OBEY!
"Holy Spirit, breath on me, until my heart is clean; let sunshine fill its inmost part, without a cloud between. Holy Spirit, breath on me, my stubborn will subdue; teach me in words of living flame what Christ would have me do. Holy Spirit, breath on me till I am all Thine own; until my will is lost in Thine, to live for Thee alone! (B. B. McKinney, 1886)
KNOW, RECKON, YIELD, and OBEY. There you have the four points of a prevailing life. May I encourage you to put this truth to the test? If so, then you will find that Truth Works!
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 3)
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"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
The power of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible -- we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead.
Paul writes, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13).
The word he uses means "to stand beside so as to present oneself for service." It is our way of saying, "Here I am; use me." The point being that this is what we once did when sin was our master. But now Jesus is Lord, and we are to yield ourselves to Him, to be used for His purpose each day.
The Message says, "That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time into God's way of doing things. Remember, you've been raised from the dead! Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God." (Romans 6:12-14)
"Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain; free to all, a healing stream flows from Calvary's mountain. Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; there the Bright and morning Star shed His beams around me. Near the cross, O Lamb of God! Bring its scenes before me; help me walk from day to day with it shadow o'er me. In the cross, in the cross be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river!" (Fanny J. Crosby, 1915)
.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
The power of the Cross unfolds daily in our lives as we first KNOW that our old man was crucified with Christ, and then RECKON ourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The next thing that follows is the most sensible step possible -- we are to YIELD ourselves to God as though who are alive from the dead.
Paul writes, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13).
The word he uses means "to stand beside so as to present oneself for service." It is our way of saying, "Here I am; use me." The point being that this is what we once did when sin was our master. But now Jesus is Lord, and we are to yield ourselves to Him, to be used for His purpose each day.
The Message says, "That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time into God's way of doing things. Remember, you've been raised from the dead! Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God." (Romans 6:12-14)
"Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain; free to all, a healing stream flows from Calvary's mountain. Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me; there the Bright and morning Star shed His beams around me. Near the cross, O Lamb of God! Bring its scenes before me; help me walk from day to day with it shadow o'er me. In the cross, in the cross be my glory ever; till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river!" (Fanny J. Crosby, 1915)
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Friday, June 13, 2008
Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 2)
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"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
Yesterday we focused on the first of four key words used by the Apostle Paul in his classic case for the Cross presented in the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans. Today, we want to look at the second word: RECKON.
More modern translations use words like count, consider, think, or regard. All share the same essential meaning -- "to take into account." In other words, this is the conclusion you are to carry in your heart once you KNOW that your were indeed crucified with Christ: "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus!"
Go ahead and give it a try -- say it out loud just now as you read this. "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus."
Now, later on in the day when temptation comes creeping round the corner and suddly backs you against the wall -- pause, take a deep breath, and then speak the truth of these words in the face of Hell's assault. You will stand, and the enemy will flee! Remember the Sienfeld episode where Jerry's dad kept yelling, "Serenity Now!" That didn't seem to work too well for him, and it won't work for you either. But THIS does work -- "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus." Truth works!
Here is how The Message summarizes it -- "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. (Romans 6:11-14).
Because Jesus did it, you and I can now do it! He conquered sin and death, and ended their supremacy over our lives. We can now walk in freedom -- and will do so only as we COUNT on it; reckoning ourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God!
"In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime! When the woes of life o'ertake me, hopes deceive and fears annoy; never shall the cross forsake me -- Lo! it glows with peace and joy. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide." (John Bowering, 1872)
I reckon so.
.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
Yesterday we focused on the first of four key words used by the Apostle Paul in his classic case for the Cross presented in the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans. Today, we want to look at the second word: RECKON.
More modern translations use words like count, consider, think, or regard. All share the same essential meaning -- "to take into account." In other words, this is the conclusion you are to carry in your heart once you KNOW that your were indeed crucified with Christ: "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus!"
Go ahead and give it a try -- say it out loud just now as you read this. "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus."
Now, later on in the day when temptation comes creeping round the corner and suddly backs you against the wall -- pause, take a deep breath, and then speak the truth of these words in the face of Hell's assault. You will stand, and the enemy will flee! Remember the Sienfeld episode where Jerry's dad kept yelling, "Serenity Now!" That didn't seem to work too well for him, and it won't work for you either. But THIS does work -- "I am dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus." Truth works!
Here is how The Message summarizes it -- "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. (Romans 6:11-14).
Because Jesus did it, you and I can now do it! He conquered sin and death, and ended their supremacy over our lives. We can now walk in freedom -- and will do so only as we COUNT on it; reckoning ourselves dead indeed to sin, but alive to God!
"In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime! When the woes of life o'ertake me, hopes deceive and fears annoy; never shall the cross forsake me -- Lo! it glows with peace and joy. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide." (John Bowering, 1872)
I reckon so.
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
Four Points of a Prevailing Life (Part 1)
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"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
In the earliest days of my journey with Jesus a godly man came alongside me and taught me a truth with such unrelenting resolve that it has stayed with me to this very day. Indeed, not simply stayed with with -- it has powerfully swayed me from turning the wrong way on many, many occasions and kept my feet from stumbling. Yes, there have been times when I ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, and tumbled in a ditch -- but even then, it was this truth that factored in my recovery. I want to pass this truth along to you.
Paul uses four key words in his masterful argument against sin, and for righteousness; and these four words give us the bullet points of a prevailing life. Know, reckon, yield, and obey. Let's look briefly at these over the following four days.
First, there is something we are to KNOW -- "our old man was crucified with Christ" (Romans 6:6). The Messages puts it this way -- "Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life -- no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection."
Pass by any cemetery and you will see just what the Lord has done for you on the Cross. He brought you into His own death, and thereby rendered sin's power over you as ineffective as it is upon those buried there in the ground. Your enslavement to sin's power has ended, and through Christ's resurrection you now have been raised to a new way of living -- free from always having to do what sin demanded.
You will never be able to walk victorious in faith without KNOWING this truth. This may be the primary reason why Satan is so set against the preaching of the Cross, and why so many churches have veered far off course in this happy-go-lucky-day of sentimental sensationalism in song and sermon.
Take your place in humble adoration at the foot of the cross my fellow pilgrim, and rise not from that place till you KNOW that all which is within you that once lived unto sin has been executed in your Savior's death.
"When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ my God. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small! Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." (Isaac Watts 1748)
.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1, KJV)
In the earliest days of my journey with Jesus a godly man came alongside me and taught me a truth with such unrelenting resolve that it has stayed with me to this very day. Indeed, not simply stayed with with -- it has powerfully swayed me from turning the wrong way on many, many occasions and kept my feet from stumbling. Yes, there have been times when I ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, and tumbled in a ditch -- but even then, it was this truth that factored in my recovery. I want to pass this truth along to you.
Paul uses four key words in his masterful argument against sin, and for righteousness; and these four words give us the bullet points of a prevailing life. Know, reckon, yield, and obey. Let's look briefly at these over the following four days.
First, there is something we are to KNOW -- "our old man was crucified with Christ" (Romans 6:6). The Messages puts it this way -- "Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the Cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life -- no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection."
Pass by any cemetery and you will see just what the Lord has done for you on the Cross. He brought you into His own death, and thereby rendered sin's power over you as ineffective as it is upon those buried there in the ground. Your enslavement to sin's power has ended, and through Christ's resurrection you now have been raised to a new way of living -- free from always having to do what sin demanded.
You will never be able to walk victorious in faith without KNOWING this truth. This may be the primary reason why Satan is so set against the preaching of the Cross, and why so many churches have veered far off course in this happy-go-lucky-day of sentimental sensationalism in song and sermon.
Take your place in humble adoration at the foot of the cross my fellow pilgrim, and rise not from that place till you KNOW that all which is within you that once lived unto sin has been executed in your Savior's death.
"When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ my God. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small! Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." (Isaac Watts 1748)
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Last Temptation Jesus Faced
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"Come down from the cross, and save yourself!" (Mark 15:30, GWT)
The last temptation Jesus faced is the ONE temptation we face constantly: "Come down from the cross, and save yourself!"
Inasmuch as the cross is the place where Self is executed, Sin's power power broken, and Satan's defiance humiliated -- it stands to reason that in a last ditch effort to reverse the curse which the cross has brought upon his head, the devil will thrash about endlessly with one goal in mind: to get you and I to abandon our post of trusting in Christ alone, and take up our own cause in our own power. "Come down from the cross, and save yourself."
The devil cannot touch us when we are on the cross, nor can sin's power sway us to pursue its many vanities while we abide in the Crucified One. And even our very selves are subdued in a submissive surrender, as the Lord puts to death all things within us that otherwise disqualify us for the Heavenly City. He is transforming us into His likeness. First there is death, and then, O blessed truth, there is resurrection! But, to experience it we must stay upon this Cross.
"Come down from the cross, and save thyself," the devil derisively taunts at us in those moments when we are slighted by someone, offended by another, or devalued yet by others. Someone does something, whether substantial or petty, and the devil jumps on the moment -- "Are you just going to hang there and take that?" he asks with surly sarcasm; and then quickly adds his own suggestion of what we should do, "Come down from the cross, and save thyself!"
Defend yourself, justify yourself, advance yourself, exalt yourself, promote yourself, save yourself, pamper yourself, satisfy yourself, indulge yourself, prefer yourself -- and the list goes on and on and on. This is the devil's plan for your life; he wants you to to be like him -- a self-absorbed and self-deceived being.
Jesus, by contrast, has only one thing He would say to you in this regard -- "Deny yourself," and then He adds, "Take up your cross daily, and follow Me."
Practically speaking, this simple truth has far-reaching implications. The Bible says that it is only by pride that contentions come. Pride is the citadel of Self, the throne room of our own selfish preoccupations and adorations. By embracing the cross of Jesus, and abiding thereupon -- our affections are relocated away from our Selves, and placed rightfully upon our Savior. The peace of His presence then extends not only to us, but through us to others. And thus, slowly but steadily, His Kingdom increases in the earth.
For this cause alone you will hear ten thousand times in a day, the devil bringing his case in hopes of finding yourself a willing dupe for his dark employment -- "Come down from the cross, and save yourself!"
Don't you dare do it!!
.
"Come down from the cross, and save yourself!" (Mark 15:30, GWT)
The last temptation Jesus faced is the ONE temptation we face constantly: "Come down from the cross, and save yourself!"
Inasmuch as the cross is the place where Self is executed, Sin's power power broken, and Satan's defiance humiliated -- it stands to reason that in a last ditch effort to reverse the curse which the cross has brought upon his head, the devil will thrash about endlessly with one goal in mind: to get you and I to abandon our post of trusting in Christ alone, and take up our own cause in our own power. "Come down from the cross, and save yourself."
The devil cannot touch us when we are on the cross, nor can sin's power sway us to pursue its many vanities while we abide in the Crucified One. And even our very selves are subdued in a submissive surrender, as the Lord puts to death all things within us that otherwise disqualify us for the Heavenly City. He is transforming us into His likeness. First there is death, and then, O blessed truth, there is resurrection! But, to experience it we must stay upon this Cross.
"Come down from the cross, and save thyself," the devil derisively taunts at us in those moments when we are slighted by someone, offended by another, or devalued yet by others. Someone does something, whether substantial or petty, and the devil jumps on the moment -- "Are you just going to hang there and take that?" he asks with surly sarcasm; and then quickly adds his own suggestion of what we should do, "Come down from the cross, and save thyself!"
Defend yourself, justify yourself, advance yourself, exalt yourself, promote yourself, save yourself, pamper yourself, satisfy yourself, indulge yourself, prefer yourself -- and the list goes on and on and on. This is the devil's plan for your life; he wants you to to be like him -- a self-absorbed and self-deceived being.
Jesus, by contrast, has only one thing He would say to you in this regard -- "Deny yourself," and then He adds, "Take up your cross daily, and follow Me."
Practically speaking, this simple truth has far-reaching implications. The Bible says that it is only by pride that contentions come. Pride is the citadel of Self, the throne room of our own selfish preoccupations and adorations. By embracing the cross of Jesus, and abiding thereupon -- our affections are relocated away from our Selves, and placed rightfully upon our Savior. The peace of His presence then extends not only to us, but through us to others. And thus, slowly but steadily, His Kingdom increases in the earth.
For this cause alone you will hear ten thousand times in a day, the devil bringing his case in hopes of finding yourself a willing dupe for his dark employment -- "Come down from the cross, and save yourself!"
Don't you dare do it!!
.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Way of the Cross Leads Home
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"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet, it is not I, but Christ who lives in me!" (Galatians 2:20)
The Cross is one of the clearest and most inspiring examples of the wisdom of God. Only He could devise such a plan whereby we may die, and yet live. And in both cases there is specific consequence -- we die to sin, and live to God. And, isn't that what we really want after all?
We, the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, were born into a slavery even more egregious than that which has been inflicted by man upon man down through the ages. We were born into slavery to Sin, and polluted with it poisonous presence; which has brought ruin to our souls, and has wrought havoc in all areas of our lives. Even when we are good, we are bad. We boast in self-righteousness, and turn the very act of faith into a weapon of fear, unleashed against those who don't believe or behave as we prescribe.
Left to ourselves we will destroy ourselves. But God, who is rich in mercy and great in love, has intervened on our behalf with brilliant cunning of such wit and mastery that Satan never saw it coming -- indeed, he was clueless until the deed was done. And now he stands trembling in defeat, for what God has wrought cannot be undone.
You want to know what it is? Simply this -- God placed us in Christ when He was crucified on the cross, and now places Christ in us when we embrace His cross as our own! In this singular stroke of unrivaled genius God has made a way for us to die to sin and live to Him. It is the way of the Cross.....and it leads us home.
The songwriter said it well, "I must needs go home by the way of the Cross; there's no other way but this. I shall ne'er gain sight of the Gates of Light if the way of the Cross I miss. Then I bid farewell to the way of the world, to walk in it nevermore. For my Lord says, 'Come,' and I seek my home; where He waits by the open door! Oh, the way of the cross leads home. Yes, the way of the cross leads home! It is sweet to know as I onward go, the way of the cross leads home!" (Charles Gabriel 1875)
How about for the next few days we embrace the cross, and see what happens. Let's ask the Lord to make actual in our lives that power which subdues sin, conquers Satan, and silences Self in the grave. Then will us see the Lord Jesus made manifest in our lives, and our confession will be as Paul's -- "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet, it is not I but Christ who lives in me!"
.
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet, it is not I, but Christ who lives in me!" (Galatians 2:20)
The Cross is one of the clearest and most inspiring examples of the wisdom of God. Only He could devise such a plan whereby we may die, and yet live. And in both cases there is specific consequence -- we die to sin, and live to God. And, isn't that what we really want after all?
We, the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, were born into a slavery even more egregious than that which has been inflicted by man upon man down through the ages. We were born into slavery to Sin, and polluted with it poisonous presence; which has brought ruin to our souls, and has wrought havoc in all areas of our lives. Even when we are good, we are bad. We boast in self-righteousness, and turn the very act of faith into a weapon of fear, unleashed against those who don't believe or behave as we prescribe.
Left to ourselves we will destroy ourselves. But God, who is rich in mercy and great in love, has intervened on our behalf with brilliant cunning of such wit and mastery that Satan never saw it coming -- indeed, he was clueless until the deed was done. And now he stands trembling in defeat, for what God has wrought cannot be undone.
You want to know what it is? Simply this -- God placed us in Christ when He was crucified on the cross, and now places Christ in us when we embrace His cross as our own! In this singular stroke of unrivaled genius God has made a way for us to die to sin and live to Him. It is the way of the Cross.....and it leads us home.
The songwriter said it well, "I must needs go home by the way of the Cross; there's no other way but this. I shall ne'er gain sight of the Gates of Light if the way of the Cross I miss. Then I bid farewell to the way of the world, to walk in it nevermore. For my Lord says, 'Come,' and I seek my home; where He waits by the open door! Oh, the way of the cross leads home. Yes, the way of the cross leads home! It is sweet to know as I onward go, the way of the cross leads home!" (Charles Gabriel 1875)
How about for the next few days we embrace the cross, and see what happens. Let's ask the Lord to make actual in our lives that power which subdues sin, conquers Satan, and silences Self in the grave. Then will us see the Lord Jesus made manifest in our lives, and our confession will be as Paul's -- "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet, it is not I but Christ who lives in me!"
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Monday, June 09, 2008
The Rapture of the Forward View
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"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" (Philippians 3:13).
Scripture encourages us to remember all the way that the Lord has brought us thus far, for in each memory is a meaningful look into the way He works, and the great love He bears for each one of us as He carries us through Life's many, many episodes. Pity the one who has no memory of such Providential occurances. Yet, to live too long in memory, and to over-dwell upon that which is past, may actually work against us -- if it is not balanced with the rapture of the forward view.
We have much to look forward to as we press onward and upward to Zion's Hill, where there is a City whose Builder and Maker is God; a place where there is no need of sun nor moon; for the Lord is the light of that blessed place.
There, just beyond the pearly gates, awaits a glory for each one of us that will indeed make whatever it is we are going through now on our journey fade into oblivion. Paul said that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
And he repeated himself just to make sure we didn't miss what he meant -- "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Have you sorrow and heartbreak? Disappointment, and setbacks? Ridicule and rejection? Questions with no answers? Have you labors seemingly unrewarded, efforts coninually unappreciated, and victiorious apparently uncelebrated? Then lift up your head and cast a glance by faith at what awaits you ere you reach the summit of your fondest longings.
There, in that exalted place of unending joy, we will surround the Throne with praise. There we shall see His face; and never, never sin! There, from the rivers of His grace, we will drink in limitless supplies of endless pleasures. And, even now, the holy hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heav’nly fields, or walk the golden streets! Thus, as we journey, let our songs abound and every tear be dry! For even now we are passing through Immanuel’s ground to fairer worlds on high!! (adapted from the old hymn, Marching to Zion)
Oh, the rapture of the forward view!
.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" (Philippians 3:13).
Scripture encourages us to remember all the way that the Lord has brought us thus far, for in each memory is a meaningful look into the way He works, and the great love He bears for each one of us as He carries us through Life's many, many episodes. Pity the one who has no memory of such Providential occurances. Yet, to live too long in memory, and to over-dwell upon that which is past, may actually work against us -- if it is not balanced with the rapture of the forward view.
We have much to look forward to as we press onward and upward to Zion's Hill, where there is a City whose Builder and Maker is God; a place where there is no need of sun nor moon; for the Lord is the light of that blessed place.
There, just beyond the pearly gates, awaits a glory for each one of us that will indeed make whatever it is we are going through now on our journey fade into oblivion. Paul said that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
And he repeated himself just to make sure we didn't miss what he meant -- "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Have you sorrow and heartbreak? Disappointment, and setbacks? Ridicule and rejection? Questions with no answers? Have you labors seemingly unrewarded, efforts coninually unappreciated, and victiorious apparently uncelebrated? Then lift up your head and cast a glance by faith at what awaits you ere you reach the summit of your fondest longings.
There, in that exalted place of unending joy, we will surround the Throne with praise. There we shall see His face; and never, never sin! There, from the rivers of His grace, we will drink in limitless supplies of endless pleasures. And, even now, the holy hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heav’nly fields, or walk the golden streets! Thus, as we journey, let our songs abound and every tear be dry! For even now we are passing through Immanuel’s ground to fairer worlds on high!! (adapted from the old hymn, Marching to Zion)
Oh, the rapture of the forward view!
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Sunday, June 08, 2008
Disturb Us, Lord
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"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose" (Romans 1:28, The Message)
May it never be said of anyone of us that God quit bothering us!
Left to ourselves we will always settle for the least, not the best. Like a river unattended, we will take the path of least resistance, and suppose it had been the best route all along. We so easily set our lives on cruise control and zip along merrily, merrily -- unaware that we are in fact drifting farther and farther away from God. Disturb us, Lord!
The famous prayer by Sir Francis Drake would find good use upon our lips in these indifferent days; I offer it with an encouragement that you pray it in earnest until the Lord sets your feet on the higher way, the nobler way, the better way -- and that He never quits bothering you; never lets you run loose from His purpose for your life.
"Disturb us, Lord
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
"Disturb us, Lord,
when, with the abundance of things we possess,
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
and, having fallen in love with life as we know it,
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
"Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
"We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push us into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love."
Sir Francis Drake -1577
.
"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose" (Romans 1:28, The Message)
May it never be said of anyone of us that God quit bothering us!
Left to ourselves we will always settle for the least, not the best. Like a river unattended, we will take the path of least resistance, and suppose it had been the best route all along. We so easily set our lives on cruise control and zip along merrily, merrily -- unaware that we are in fact drifting farther and farther away from God. Disturb us, Lord!
The famous prayer by Sir Francis Drake would find good use upon our lips in these indifferent days; I offer it with an encouragement that you pray it in earnest until the Lord sets your feet on the higher way, the nobler way, the better way -- and that He never quits bothering you; never lets you run loose from His purpose for your life.
"Disturb us, Lord
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
"Disturb us, Lord,
when, with the abundance of things we possess,
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
and, having fallen in love with life as we know it,
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
"Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
"We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push us into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love."
Sir Francis Drake -1577
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Saturday, June 07, 2008
Give Us This Day Our Daily Chicken
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"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22).
OK, I thought now would be a good time for a little chuckle or two....
There was a rumor that Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, held a private meeting with the Pope during the last Papal visit to the US, and requested that Pope change the wording in the Lord's Prayer from "give us this day our daily bread" to "give us this day our daily chicken."
The Pope was aghast -- "I cannot change these words, my son; these were give to us by the Lord Himself!"
"Look," Cathy replied with undaunted determination, "I'll donate $1,000,000 to Vatican City -- if you will make this change."
The Pope answered, "My son, this prayer has been around for two thousand years; its not something that we can just change over night."
"I'll donate $10 millions dollars if you'll do it." Cathy replied.
"Let me meet with the Cardinals and Bishops, and I'll get back with you," the Pope said.
Upon his return to Rome, the Pope met with his leaders and said, "I've got some good news, and some bad news -- which do you want first?"
"Tell us the good news," they all answered.
"Very well," he replied, "Chick-Fil-a has donated ten millions dollars to Vatican City!"
"That's marvelous!" the Cardinals and Bishops exclaimed -- "What's the bad news?"
"We lost the Wonder Bread account." The Pope replied.
.
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22).
OK, I thought now would be a good time for a little chuckle or two....
There was a rumor that Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, held a private meeting with the Pope during the last Papal visit to the US, and requested that Pope change the wording in the Lord's Prayer from "give us this day our daily bread" to "give us this day our daily chicken."
The Pope was aghast -- "I cannot change these words, my son; these were give to us by the Lord Himself!"
"Look," Cathy replied with undaunted determination, "I'll donate $1,000,000 to Vatican City -- if you will make this change."
The Pope answered, "My son, this prayer has been around for two thousand years; its not something that we can just change over night."
"I'll donate $10 millions dollars if you'll do it." Cathy replied.
"Let me meet with the Cardinals and Bishops, and I'll get back with you," the Pope said.
Upon his return to Rome, the Pope met with his leaders and said, "I've got some good news, and some bad news -- which do you want first?"
"Tell us the good news," they all answered.
"Very well," he replied, "Chick-Fil-a has donated ten millions dollars to Vatican City!"
"That's marvelous!" the Cardinals and Bishops exclaimed -- "What's the bad news?"
"We lost the Wonder Bread account." The Pope replied.
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Friday, June 06, 2008
Porridge from the Palace
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"I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12)
There are those who would never think of going a full day without eating something -- anything. Yet many of these hefty hoofers slug though life without ever taking so much as a nibble of the one thing they truly need more than anything -- a word from God.
Jesus taught us to specifically pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).
Obviously, He is not speaking here about the floury stuff we buy at the Grocers. While we trust the Lord to meet our physical needs on a daily basis, what He is telling us to ask for -- and to expect -- is a word from God in our lives everyday. I know this is true because Jesus elsewhere said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Thus, we understand that "bread" and "word from God" are synonymous; alike in meaning or significance.
Certainly we are to ask the Lord for our daily food which sustains our bodies, but how much more so are we to ask Him for a word from God -- that sustains our very lives? It is porridge from the Palace; a bountiful supply of rich and empowering fodder.
Yes, what we need more than anything else is a word from God. And when we treasure His words more than our necessary food, His voice will supply us with daily bread.
The Psalmist wrote, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). The prophet Jeremiah expressed the same sentiment, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty" (Jeremiah 15:16). Jesus Himself enjoyed the porridge from the Palace -- "I have food to eat that you know nothing about" (John 4:32).
Don't you think, therefore, that you and I ought to lift our bowls heavenward, and receive our daily portion of this porridge from the Palace?
Bon apetite!
.
"I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12)
There are those who would never think of going a full day without eating something -- anything. Yet many of these hefty hoofers slug though life without ever taking so much as a nibble of the one thing they truly need more than anything -- a word from God.
Jesus taught us to specifically pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).
Obviously, He is not speaking here about the floury stuff we buy at the Grocers. While we trust the Lord to meet our physical needs on a daily basis, what He is telling us to ask for -- and to expect -- is a word from God in our lives everyday. I know this is true because Jesus elsewhere said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Thus, we understand that "bread" and "word from God" are synonymous; alike in meaning or significance.
Certainly we are to ask the Lord for our daily food which sustains our bodies, but how much more so are we to ask Him for a word from God -- that sustains our very lives? It is porridge from the Palace; a bountiful supply of rich and empowering fodder.
Yes, what we need more than anything else is a word from God. And when we treasure His words more than our necessary food, His voice will supply us with daily bread.
The Psalmist wrote, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). The prophet Jeremiah expressed the same sentiment, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty" (Jeremiah 15:16). Jesus Himself enjoyed the porridge from the Palace -- "I have food to eat that you know nothing about" (John 4:32).
Don't you think, therefore, that you and I ought to lift our bowls heavenward, and receive our daily portion of this porridge from the Palace?
Bon apetite!
.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
"Do You Brush Your Teeth?"
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And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3, NIV)
Pastor Jack Hayford was traveling across country and, due to the time schedule and route, used an airline different from his preferred carrier. As a result, there were no perks available, no upgrade certificates, no preferred seating. In fact, the only seat the flight had available was the very back row, middle seat. Wonderful.
The aisle seat was occupied by a businessman, and in the window seat there sat a young lady who was somewhat mentally diminished. Jack tells how he purposed to bury himself in his notes and get the two-and-a-half hour flight behind him. About ten minutes after take-off, he felt the young lady nudging him with her elbow; three or four little jabs to get his attention.
"Yes?" Jack asked as he turned toward her.
"Do you brush your teeth?" she asked with childlike innocence and a sheepish grin.
"Yes," Jack answered, "yes, I do brush my teeth."
"That's nice, 'cause if you didn't brush your teeth," the lady said, "they would fall out; and that would not be good." She then turned and stared out the window. Jack turn and stared at his notes.
About ten minutes later, another nudge of the elbow followed by a second question, "Do you smoke cigarettes?"
"No, dear," Jack replied, "I do not smoke cigarettes."
"That's good," the young lady answered, "because then you won't die of cancer."
Once again, after another ten minutes, the elbow and a third question, "Do you love Jesus?"
"Yes," said Jack, "I do love Jesus very much."
"That's good, 'cause then you will go to heaven when you die. And that's a good thing."
"Yes it is," Jack answered, and then turned back to his notes.
About ten more minutes passed, and the lady elbowed him yet once more, and this time said, "Ask that man sitting next to you if he brushes his teeth."
Suddenly Jack realized that the Lord had set him up with a divine appointment, but it would require real humility to follow through with it. And he did so. Elbowing the business man in the aisle seat, Jack asked, "Do you brush your teeth?"
The result was that for the remainder of the flight Jack was able to share Christ with a total stranger, whose world would never be the same from that day forward.
Here's a thought.....find someone today, walk up to them and ask, "Do you brush your teeth?"
You never know where it may lead!
.
And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3, NIV)
Pastor Jack Hayford was traveling across country and, due to the time schedule and route, used an airline different from his preferred carrier. As a result, there were no perks available, no upgrade certificates, no preferred seating. In fact, the only seat the flight had available was the very back row, middle seat. Wonderful.
The aisle seat was occupied by a businessman, and in the window seat there sat a young lady who was somewhat mentally diminished. Jack tells how he purposed to bury himself in his notes and get the two-and-a-half hour flight behind him. About ten minutes after take-off, he felt the young lady nudging him with her elbow; three or four little jabs to get his attention.
"Yes?" Jack asked as he turned toward her.
"Do you brush your teeth?" she asked with childlike innocence and a sheepish grin.
"Yes," Jack answered, "yes, I do brush my teeth."
"That's nice, 'cause if you didn't brush your teeth," the lady said, "they would fall out; and that would not be good." She then turned and stared out the window. Jack turn and stared at his notes.
About ten minutes later, another nudge of the elbow followed by a second question, "Do you smoke cigarettes?"
"No, dear," Jack replied, "I do not smoke cigarettes."
"That's good," the young lady answered, "because then you won't die of cancer."
Once again, after another ten minutes, the elbow and a third question, "Do you love Jesus?"
"Yes," said Jack, "I do love Jesus very much."
"That's good, 'cause then you will go to heaven when you die. And that's a good thing."
"Yes it is," Jack answered, and then turned back to his notes.
About ten more minutes passed, and the lady elbowed him yet once more, and this time said, "Ask that man sitting next to you if he brushes his teeth."
Suddenly Jack realized that the Lord had set him up with a divine appointment, but it would require real humility to follow through with it. And he did so. Elbowing the business man in the aisle seat, Jack asked, "Do you brush your teeth?"
The result was that for the remainder of the flight Jack was able to share Christ with a total stranger, whose world would never be the same from that day forward.
Here's a thought.....find someone today, walk up to them and ask, "Do you brush your teeth?"
You never know where it may lead!
.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The Misbehaving Jesus
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Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." (John 13:7).
John the Baptist was genuinely perplexed by Jesus. "Art thou He who is to come?" he asked from prison, "Or, look we for another?" Of course Jesus was the One; but what was it that so rattled the unflinching John that he had to voice his concerns? It was the same thing that rattles us today -- Jesus does not always do what we suppose He is going to do. And sometimes what He actually does do is so unforeseen and misunderstood, that we are left like John -- bewildered by the Lord's misbehavior.
John was preaching of one who would come with a winnowing fork in his hands to thresh the floor and sweep things clean, throwing the chaff into the fire to be burned. But Jesus didn't do that -- not yet, anyway. He came meek and lowly, riding upon the colt of a donkey. So John was stumped by the Lord's misbehavior.
In the verse today Jesus is putting His disciples at ease while He washes their feet; a thing lowly servants were supposed to do -- not Messiahs. And yet Jesus misbehaves and does the lowly thing. Who ever heard of such a thing -- the King behaved as a servant; and treated His subjects as royalty! It was indeed a strange circumstance in which the disciples found themselves placed by Jesus, and the only word He gave them on the matter was this -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
And this scripture now reaches over time and consoles each one of us with the same assurance from the Lord in the midst of our own God-given perplexities -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Has the Lord misbehaved in your life, and left you scratching your head over what He is doing -- for it seems so different from what you thought He would surely do? Welcome to the Kingdom! The rest of us have been wondering when He was going to wash your feet.
In 1905 Charles Tindley summed it up best is his popular and time-proven hymn....
Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land.
But He guides us with His eye; and we'll follow till we die,
For we'll understand it better by and by.
Oft our cherished plans have failed, disappointments have prevailed;
and we've wandered in the darkness heavy-hearted and alone.
But we're trusting in the Lord, and according to His Word
We will understand it better by and by.
By and by when the morning comes.
When the saints of God are gathered home.
We'll tell the story how we've overcome,
For we'll understand it better by and by.
My friend, open your heart today to this enduring word of assurance, spoken by the Lord Jesus Himself -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
.
Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." (John 13:7).
John the Baptist was genuinely perplexed by Jesus. "Art thou He who is to come?" he asked from prison, "Or, look we for another?" Of course Jesus was the One; but what was it that so rattled the unflinching John that he had to voice his concerns? It was the same thing that rattles us today -- Jesus does not always do what we suppose He is going to do. And sometimes what He actually does do is so unforeseen and misunderstood, that we are left like John -- bewildered by the Lord's misbehavior.
John was preaching of one who would come with a winnowing fork in his hands to thresh the floor and sweep things clean, throwing the chaff into the fire to be burned. But Jesus didn't do that -- not yet, anyway. He came meek and lowly, riding upon the colt of a donkey. So John was stumped by the Lord's misbehavior.
In the verse today Jesus is putting His disciples at ease while He washes their feet; a thing lowly servants were supposed to do -- not Messiahs. And yet Jesus misbehaves and does the lowly thing. Who ever heard of such a thing -- the King behaved as a servant; and treated His subjects as royalty! It was indeed a strange circumstance in which the disciples found themselves placed by Jesus, and the only word He gave them on the matter was this -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
And this scripture now reaches over time and consoles each one of us with the same assurance from the Lord in the midst of our own God-given perplexities -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Has the Lord misbehaved in your life, and left you scratching your head over what He is doing -- for it seems so different from what you thought He would surely do? Welcome to the Kingdom! The rest of us have been wondering when He was going to wash your feet.
In 1905 Charles Tindley summed it up best is his popular and time-proven hymn....
Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land.
But He guides us with His eye; and we'll follow till we die,
For we'll understand it better by and by.
Oft our cherished plans have failed, disappointments have prevailed;
and we've wandered in the darkness heavy-hearted and alone.
But we're trusting in the Lord, and according to His Word
We will understand it better by and by.
By and by when the morning comes.
When the saints of God are gathered home.
We'll tell the story how we've overcome,
For we'll understand it better by and by.
My friend, open your heart today to this enduring word of assurance, spoken by the Lord Jesus Himself -- "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The King's Own Word
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The king said, "Go home, and I'll take care of this for you." (2 Samuel 14:8).
Once your petition has been set before the King, and He has given you His assurance that it will be handled by Him personally, and in your best interest -- well, to linger any longer in earnest angst would be most insulting to His majesty.
Yet we do it all the time!
"Lord, when? Lord, why? Lord, how long?" These, and many other hassling questions too often constitute the bulk of our prayer life. Our hearts flood with dark thoughts which spill from our lips in mournful pleas, as we seek His reply to our unanswerable questions. Our hearts have perhaps been broken by the hammer of relentless disappointments, our minds bewildered by unfulfilled hopes, our eyes blurred by tears that never cease -- and we hasten to the Lord with our woeful complaints.
And He says, "Go home, and I'll take care of this for you."
But we linger in our lamentations, stating our case once again in pitiful details, rehearsing the matter over and over, as though He had not yet heard it. It seems in such moments that we are more in awe of our sorrows than we are of our Savior.
"Go home," the Lord says, "and I'll take care of this for you."
There is a faith, noble and true, that leaves the prayer chamber and enters into the day in utter confidence that the Lord will take care of things in a perfect way -- if we would only let Him do it.
As children bring their broken toys with tears, for us to mend; I brought my broken dreams to God, because He is my friend. But then, instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone; I hung around and tried to help in ways that were my own. He didn't do at all the things I thought that He should do; He didn't mend my broken dreams; He didn't make them new. In fact He seemed quite nonchalant, as though He didn’t care. So, I increased with holy zeal my intercessory prayer. Watching, waiting for His hand to do what I had prayed; but nothing I could say or do helped Him on His way!
At last I snatched them back and cried, "How can you be so slow?"
"My child," He lovingly replied, "you never did let go!"
Oh, hear the Lord's word to you today -- "Go home," the Lord says, "and I'll take care of this for you."
.
The king said, "Go home, and I'll take care of this for you." (2 Samuel 14:8).
Once your petition has been set before the King, and He has given you His assurance that it will be handled by Him personally, and in your best interest -- well, to linger any longer in earnest angst would be most insulting to His majesty.
Yet we do it all the time!
"Lord, when? Lord, why? Lord, how long?" These, and many other hassling questions too often constitute the bulk of our prayer life. Our hearts flood with dark thoughts which spill from our lips in mournful pleas, as we seek His reply to our unanswerable questions. Our hearts have perhaps been broken by the hammer of relentless disappointments, our minds bewildered by unfulfilled hopes, our eyes blurred by tears that never cease -- and we hasten to the Lord with our woeful complaints.
And He says, "Go home, and I'll take care of this for you."
But we linger in our lamentations, stating our case once again in pitiful details, rehearsing the matter over and over, as though He had not yet heard it. It seems in such moments that we are more in awe of our sorrows than we are of our Savior.
"Go home," the Lord says, "and I'll take care of this for you."
There is a faith, noble and true, that leaves the prayer chamber and enters into the day in utter confidence that the Lord will take care of things in a perfect way -- if we would only let Him do it.
As children bring their broken toys with tears, for us to mend; I brought my broken dreams to God, because He is my friend. But then, instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone; I hung around and tried to help in ways that were my own. He didn't do at all the things I thought that He should do; He didn't mend my broken dreams; He didn't make them new. In fact He seemed quite nonchalant, as though He didn’t care. So, I increased with holy zeal my intercessory prayer. Watching, waiting for His hand to do what I had prayed; but nothing I could say or do helped Him on His way!
At last I snatched them back and cried, "How can you be so slow?"
"My child," He lovingly replied, "you never did let go!"
Oh, hear the Lord's word to you today -- "Go home," the Lord says, "and I'll take care of this for you."
.
Monday, June 02, 2008
The Uneventful Seasons of Unseen Preparations
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"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40)
The venerable Scottish minister, George H. Morrison, wrote the following in his classic work, Devotional Sermons, which I highly recommend to you.
Uneventful years need not be unprofitable. One of the holiest doctors of the Mediaeval Church, who was placed by Dante among the saints of paradise, said a striking thing about the youth of Jesus. "Take notice," he said, "that His doing nothing wonderful was itself a kind of wonder. As there is power in His actions, so is there power in His retirement and His silence."
When we read the false Gospels of the youth of Jesus, we meet with story after story of miracle. Jesus makes clay sparrows and they fly away; or He puts out His hand and touches some plough that Joseph had made badly, and immediately it takes a perfect shape. But in our Gospels there is nothing of all that. There is not a whisper of a boyish miracle. Instead we read that "Jesus grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40).
Let us learn then that uneventful years need never be idle or unprofitable years. The still river in the secluded valley is gathering waters to bear a city's commerce.
"Give me health and a day," said Emerson, "and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous."
Give Me, said Jesus, the quiet vale of Nazareth, and the blue sky and the blossoming of flowers, and David and Isaiah, and My village home and God, and I shall be well prepared for My great work.
(This was copied from Devotional Sermons by G.H. Morrison. The complete volume is available free as a devotional module in the e-sword software. Go to www.e-sword.net and check it out!)
Perhaps you may be is such an unseen season right now, and the Lord is preparing you for that which is yet to come. And, like Jesus, you even now may be growing, and waxing strong in spirit; being filled with wisdom, and having the grace of God upon you.
Not such a bad deal after all, huh?
.
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40)
The venerable Scottish minister, George H. Morrison, wrote the following in his classic work, Devotional Sermons, which I highly recommend to you.
Uneventful years need not be unprofitable. One of the holiest doctors of the Mediaeval Church, who was placed by Dante among the saints of paradise, said a striking thing about the youth of Jesus. "Take notice," he said, "that His doing nothing wonderful was itself a kind of wonder. As there is power in His actions, so is there power in His retirement and His silence."
When we read the false Gospels of the youth of Jesus, we meet with story after story of miracle. Jesus makes clay sparrows and they fly away; or He puts out His hand and touches some plough that Joseph had made badly, and immediately it takes a perfect shape. But in our Gospels there is nothing of all that. There is not a whisper of a boyish miracle. Instead we read that "Jesus grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40).
Let us learn then that uneventful years need never be idle or unprofitable years. The still river in the secluded valley is gathering waters to bear a city's commerce.
"Give me health and a day," said Emerson, "and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous."
Give Me, said Jesus, the quiet vale of Nazareth, and the blue sky and the blossoming of flowers, and David and Isaiah, and My village home and God, and I shall be well prepared for My great work.
(This was copied from Devotional Sermons by G.H. Morrison. The complete volume is available free as a devotional module in the e-sword software. Go to www.e-sword.net and check it out!)
Perhaps you may be is such an unseen season right now, and the Lord is preparing you for that which is yet to come. And, like Jesus, you even now may be growing, and waxing strong in spirit; being filled with wisdom, and having the grace of God upon you.
Not such a bad deal after all, huh?
.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Out of Step
.
"I've been out of step with you for a long time" (Psalm 51:5, The Message).
OK, so let me tell you something childlike I did as a boy. Whenever I saw someone walking along that I really admired, I would actually try to walk in step with them, stride for stride. In my mind it was as if I would be like them if I could walk in step with them. Silly, I know, but don't we all do that in one form or another?
We dress like, talk like, think like, walk like, and act like those we admire most. Is it in hopes that be will actually in someway be like them? Of course. Why else would we do it?
That brings me to the point of today's thought -- walking in step with Jesus. The Psalmist confessed, "I've been out of step with you for a long time." I can relate to this all too well. The Lord turns right, and I go wrong. He walks upward, I turn downward. He slows down, and I hurry up; He picks up the pace and I lag a bit behind. He says Hello; and I say Good-bye. And so on.
Occasionally, however, I do manage to get it right somehow; I walk in step with Jesus. And in those moments, rare as they are, I actually am like Him. Or at least am aiming to be. Lord, have mercy and be patient with me.
How about you? Do you see Him walking by anywhere throughout your busy day? Do you sense His presence, hear His voice, follow His leading, and keep in step with Him? Aren't you, in the words of the apostle Paul, becoming "conformed to His image?"
Oh, but don't you want to be? I do.
So let's give it another shot; let's see if today we can walk in step with Jesus. Who knows, we just might be able to pull it off this time, and end up becoming more and more like Him day by day.
.
"I've been out of step with you for a long time" (Psalm 51:5, The Message).
OK, so let me tell you something childlike I did as a boy. Whenever I saw someone walking along that I really admired, I would actually try to walk in step with them, stride for stride. In my mind it was as if I would be like them if I could walk in step with them. Silly, I know, but don't we all do that in one form or another?
We dress like, talk like, think like, walk like, and act like those we admire most. Is it in hopes that be will actually in someway be like them? Of course. Why else would we do it?
That brings me to the point of today's thought -- walking in step with Jesus. The Psalmist confessed, "I've been out of step with you for a long time." I can relate to this all too well. The Lord turns right, and I go wrong. He walks upward, I turn downward. He slows down, and I hurry up; He picks up the pace and I lag a bit behind. He says Hello; and I say Good-bye. And so on.
Occasionally, however, I do manage to get it right somehow; I walk in step with Jesus. And in those moments, rare as they are, I actually am like Him. Or at least am aiming to be. Lord, have mercy and be patient with me.
How about you? Do you see Him walking by anywhere throughout your busy day? Do you sense His presence, hear His voice, follow His leading, and keep in step with Him? Aren't you, in the words of the apostle Paul, becoming "conformed to His image?"
Oh, but don't you want to be? I do.
So let's give it another shot; let's see if today we can walk in step with Jesus. Who knows, we just might be able to pull it off this time, and end up becoming more and more like Him day by day.
.
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