John 16:33 (from the Message) reads:
I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.
Here are some of Jesus’ last intimate words with His disciples. When He said these words it was in the context of His approaching arrest and death. The disciples were instructed how they were going to mourn, and how joy would also soon return to them. That ‘joy’ Jesus spoke of is directly tied to His resurrection.
Simplified a bit more, this verse can be read as this: “Your challenges are also my challenges. Your enemies are my enemies. And your sadness is my sadness. But I have triumphed over it all, therefore, so have you.”
This week, may you stand up…gaze heavenward…cast a smile toward His face…and know that Jesus defeated it all for YOU!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Do You Feel The Love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reads:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Wow! A lot of what Love is and isn’t. This passage is famously referenced in the context of marriage, but its intent is much more general than that. Paul is clearly speaking about our character as believers in Jesus Christ. It’s how we behave/react with each other in certain circumstances, and our attitude and feelings inside of us that often times drive our behavior.
Jesus came to be with us in human form unselfishly and purely out of love for us. This is how we now have the gift of grace in our lives. It seems to me that when we can fully embrace the above text, we can then feel the heartbeat of Christ toward each other.
This week, may you be able to love…as well as allow yourself to be loved. May you also not lose your hope in God. He’s still hoping in you!
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Wow! A lot of what Love is and isn’t. This passage is famously referenced in the context of marriage, but its intent is much more general than that. Paul is clearly speaking about our character as believers in Jesus Christ. It’s how we behave/react with each other in certain circumstances, and our attitude and feelings inside of us that often times drive our behavior.
Jesus came to be with us in human form unselfishly and purely out of love for us. This is how we now have the gift of grace in our lives. It seems to me that when we can fully embrace the above text, we can then feel the heartbeat of Christ toward each other.
This week, may you be able to love…as well as allow yourself to be loved. May you also not lose your hope in God. He’s still hoping in you!
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Nature of God
Isaiah 2:22 reads:
“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”
What good are we? That sounds a bit harsh, don’t you think? Frail in comparison to God…yes. Good for nothing…I’m not sure.
After taking a second glance at this statement within the context of the rest of the chapter, however, it’s clear what the real issue is here. It’s not so much about whether or not we are worth anything good. It’s simply that we are not to be praised, worshipped, or elevated to a position equal with God.
That might have made you laugh a little, but we all fall into this trap of idolatry once in a while and to varying degrees. Just think, do you know anyone who has ever…
…placed all their potential for happiness in the success of a sports team?
…blamed the health or death of their marriage on the shoulders of their counselor?
…looked solely to the person of a Pastor/church leader for their own spiritual growth?
…counted on the government to take care of all their problems?
Have you ever been one of these people? I have! And I’ll tell you this…people come and go in our lives. They may bless us, and they may also hurt us. But our God in Heaven will never give us a viable reason to mistrust Him….NEVER!
This week, may you dwell on this. Refrain from putting all your hope in people…in your teachers, your politicians, your parents, your pastors, your spouse, your best friend, or your church. They will come up short now and then, but your God; well, that’s simply not His nature. May you experience life with people, and trust your life to God!
“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”
What good are we? That sounds a bit harsh, don’t you think? Frail in comparison to God…yes. Good for nothing…I’m not sure.
After taking a second glance at this statement within the context of the rest of the chapter, however, it’s clear what the real issue is here. It’s not so much about whether or not we are worth anything good. It’s simply that we are not to be praised, worshipped, or elevated to a position equal with God.
That might have made you laugh a little, but we all fall into this trap of idolatry once in a while and to varying degrees. Just think, do you know anyone who has ever…
…placed all their potential for happiness in the success of a sports team?
…blamed the health or death of their marriage on the shoulders of their counselor?
…looked solely to the person of a Pastor/church leader for their own spiritual growth?
…counted on the government to take care of all their problems?
Have you ever been one of these people? I have! And I’ll tell you this…people come and go in our lives. They may bless us, and they may also hurt us. But our God in Heaven will never give us a viable reason to mistrust Him….NEVER!
This week, may you dwell on this. Refrain from putting all your hope in people…in your teachers, your politicians, your parents, your pastors, your spouse, your best friend, or your church. They will come up short now and then, but your God; well, that’s simply not His nature. May you experience life with people, and trust your life to God!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Is God Avoiding You?
Matthew 7:7 reads:
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
First, check out this YouTube link:
Erwin McManus teaching
Then, try to answer these two questions:
1) What causes us at times to think that God is avoiding us?
2) Is there something in your life that you are not honestly asking God for wisdom in, seeking His direction, or knocking …truly anticipating opportunity to open? If so, what is it and how should your approach to the situation change?
This week, may you diligently search out the heart of God in your life…and may you then be courageous enough to listen to the beat of His heart.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
First, check out this YouTube link:
Erwin McManus teaching
Then, try to answer these two questions:
1) What causes us at times to think that God is avoiding us?
2) Is there something in your life that you are not honestly asking God for wisdom in, seeking His direction, or knocking …truly anticipating opportunity to open? If so, what is it and how should your approach to the situation change?
This week, may you diligently search out the heart of God in your life…and may you then be courageous enough to listen to the beat of His heart.
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