Saturday, September 10, 2011
Jesus loves losers
I love a good story, especially when the underdog wins. And that's totally what Jesus is into as well. In fact, if you've studied even a small part of the New Testament, you see that Jesus longs to serve and save the losers that he encounters. And the great part is that he's still passionate about the marginalized and the misunderstood people around us today.
Maybe you feel like you're stereotyped for the wrong reasons. People just don't understand what you're all about. Perhaps you feel judged because of your ethnicity, gender, or social class. Maybe your inferiority complex comes from a broken or an abusive upbringing? Then again, it could be that you're just an unappreciated mom who feels like all you do is change diapers and fold laundry. Or are you the one who simply never gets a fair chance at anything, the kid who was always picked last for cherry ball? If so, stick around for three of Jesus' stories that deal with the outcasts of his time.
The first tale is about a deformed woman who is healed on the Sabbath. Jesus sees her suffering from some kind of evil spirit that has caused her to be crippled for eighteen years. She can't even sit up straight. So how does Jesus respond? Right away, we notice how much He cares about her. While many onlookers just stare past her, Jesus sees her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. And because he loves her, he decides to heal her.
"When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.' Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God" (Luke 13:12+13).
So let's check out the synagogue ruler's response to this awesome miracle. He's a pretty good guy after all, right? NOT! Luke tells us about his foolish response:
"Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, 'There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.' The Lord answered him, 'You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?'" (Luke 13:14-16).
Obviously we don't want to respond like the ruler did, but do we generally act any better? Or do we lock God in by our insistent demands, telling him when and where and how he gets to direct our paths? And when God steps in to meet our daily needs, do we praise him? Do we even thank him for our most basic provisions like food, good health, and each oxygenated breath that keeps us alive? A more challenging question might be how we respond to the marginalized, like this woman who sits there alone as a needy outcast. Do we run to her type, willing to help, ready to care?
Now let's take a look at the second story, the one about that horrible sinner. He's done that one thing, the act that comes to your mind when you think of the person that could never make it in to heaven. She's said that certain word or phrase that would never come out of your perfect lips. He's that totally lost friend or relative that you avoid during reunions. Just being in the same room with this person makes you cringe. Well, guess what? Jesus cares about him or her too. Check out the story of the lost sheep.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law have been mumbling about how Jesus welcomes and even eats with sinners. So Jesus tells them this parable:
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:4-7).
Kind of unfair, right? I mean, why should God care more about those sinful people than about us? Oh wait... we are those sinners, totally in need of his amazing grace!
Now for the third story, think of an overzealous IRS agent and how freaked out you are by his meticulous legalism. Of how irritating it is that you have to keep all your financial statements for three to five years just in case your worst nightmare comes true and you get audited. Then picture Zacchaeus, the authoritative and mega-rich chief tax collector, traitor to his people and ally of the hated Romans, who also happens to be super short. He's so short in fact, that he can't even see over the crowd as Jesus rides in to Jericho. So he climbs a sycamore-fig tree to get a better look!
"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner'" (Luke 19:5-8).
This story shows us yet again that Jesus cares about outcasts. He notices Zacchaeus because he sees his heart before he even arrives. He knows that Zacchaeus needs a savior. He gives this marginalized member of society a chance, just like he gives all of us an opportunity to trust in him as well.
So guess how the tax guy responds?
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount'" (verse 8).
Jesus then tells him that he is saved and Luke reminds us that "... the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (verse 10).
Zacchaeus does three things really well in this story. First, he addresses Jesus as Lord because he realizes that he's talking to the Son of God. Second, he takes care of the poor. Third, he is honest with those he has wronged. So let's take a look in the mirror. When we receive mercy from God, how do we respond? Do we call him Lord? Do we care for those in need? Can we admit we're wrong and make amends with those we've hurt?
We can all identify with the protagonists of these three stories: the crippled woman, the lost sheep, and the tax collector. We relate in some way as we battle physical differences, spiritual inferiority, or emotional weaknesses. With these stories of God's compassion for three New Testament losers, let's run to Jesus for his love and his truth for our own lives as well!
And just one last thought, when we do happen to stereotype our fellow human beings for their skin color, hairstyle, the types of tattoos they wear, the cars they drive, or the vices that entangle them, let's stop and view them with Jesus' eyes first. Then let's try to care like he does. And let's love them with his hands so they can be healed and redeemed as well! We're no better, just literally saved by God's perfect love and grace!
Maybe you feel like you're stereotyped for the wrong reasons. People just don't understand what you're all about. Perhaps you feel judged because of your ethnicity, gender, or social class. Maybe your inferiority complex comes from a broken or an abusive upbringing? Then again, it could be that you're just an unappreciated mom who feels like all you do is change diapers and fold laundry. Or are you the one who simply never gets a fair chance at anything, the kid who was always picked last for cherry ball? If so, stick around for three of Jesus' stories that deal with the outcasts of his time.
The first tale is about a deformed woman who is healed on the Sabbath. Jesus sees her suffering from some kind of evil spirit that has caused her to be crippled for eighteen years. She can't even sit up straight. So how does Jesus respond? Right away, we notice how much He cares about her. While many onlookers just stare past her, Jesus sees her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. And because he loves her, he decides to heal her.
"When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.' Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God" (Luke 13:12+13).
So let's check out the synagogue ruler's response to this awesome miracle. He's a pretty good guy after all, right? NOT! Luke tells us about his foolish response:
"Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, 'There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.' The Lord answered him, 'You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?'" (Luke 13:14-16).
Obviously we don't want to respond like the ruler did, but do we generally act any better? Or do we lock God in by our insistent demands, telling him when and where and how he gets to direct our paths? And when God steps in to meet our daily needs, do we praise him? Do we even thank him for our most basic provisions like food, good health, and each oxygenated breath that keeps us alive? A more challenging question might be how we respond to the marginalized, like this woman who sits there alone as a needy outcast. Do we run to her type, willing to help, ready to care?
Now let's take a look at the second story, the one about that horrible sinner. He's done that one thing, the act that comes to your mind when you think of the person that could never make it in to heaven. She's said that certain word or phrase that would never come out of your perfect lips. He's that totally lost friend or relative that you avoid during reunions. Just being in the same room with this person makes you cringe. Well, guess what? Jesus cares about him or her too. Check out the story of the lost sheep.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law have been mumbling about how Jesus welcomes and even eats with sinners. So Jesus tells them this parable:
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:4-7).
Kind of unfair, right? I mean, why should God care more about those sinful people than about us? Oh wait... we are those sinners, totally in need of his amazing grace!
Now for the third story, think of an overzealous IRS agent and how freaked out you are by his meticulous legalism. Of how irritating it is that you have to keep all your financial statements for three to five years just in case your worst nightmare comes true and you get audited. Then picture Zacchaeus, the authoritative and mega-rich chief tax collector, traitor to his people and ally of the hated Romans, who also happens to be super short. He's so short in fact, that he can't even see over the crowd as Jesus rides in to Jericho. So he climbs a sycamore-fig tree to get a better look!
"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner'" (Luke 19:5-8).
This story shows us yet again that Jesus cares about outcasts. He notices Zacchaeus because he sees his heart before he even arrives. He knows that Zacchaeus needs a savior. He gives this marginalized member of society a chance, just like he gives all of us an opportunity to trust in him as well.
So guess how the tax guy responds?
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount'" (verse 8).
Jesus then tells him that he is saved and Luke reminds us that "... the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (verse 10).
Zacchaeus does three things really well in this story. First, he addresses Jesus as Lord because he realizes that he's talking to the Son of God. Second, he takes care of the poor. Third, he is honest with those he has wronged. So let's take a look in the mirror. When we receive mercy from God, how do we respond? Do we call him Lord? Do we care for those in need? Can we admit we're wrong and make amends with those we've hurt?
We can all identify with the protagonists of these three stories: the crippled woman, the lost sheep, and the tax collector. We relate in some way as we battle physical differences, spiritual inferiority, or emotional weaknesses. With these stories of God's compassion for three New Testament losers, let's run to Jesus for his love and his truth for our own lives as well!
And just one last thought, when we do happen to stereotype our fellow human beings for their skin color, hairstyle, the types of tattoos they wear, the cars they drive, or the vices that entangle them, let's stop and view them with Jesus' eyes first. Then let's try to care like he does. And let's love them with his hands so they can be healed and redeemed as well! We're no better, just literally saved by God's perfect love and grace!
Labels: Bible, Jesus, Luke, marginalized
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Cross and the dumpster (modified from Nov 2006)
The cross at Calvary was the physical place where Christ bore all the sins of the world, including yours and mine, absolving us from our past, present, and future guilt. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, sin is defined as, “…any offense or fault.”
Two thousand years later, what does this mean for us? It stands in our hearts and minds as a metaphorical starting point for the journey to find peace and freedom. The intersection of those two wooden beams is the exact spot where forgiveness exists.
Man's sinfulness meets God's perfect grace. So we get to lay down our offenses and faults no matter how disgusting or crude they are. We no longer have to carry the humiliating weight of guilt and shame that the sinfulness has caused.
Nor do we have to pay for our own sinfulness by completing a list of never-ending good works or mantras. Imagine the labor and tedium which the Jews of the Old Testament had to maintain; it was one sacrifice plus another, plus another, plus like five thousand more and on and on the cycle of atonement went.
In contrast, a Christian is set free from the chaotic cycle that the Jews had to endure. The Jews were required to make amends for their wrongdoings. But we get to set all the gook and crap at the foot of the cross and walk away empty handed; Christ completely covered over our darkness and grotesqueness.
In Matthew 26:28, Christ is recorded saying, “For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” So this means that the weight of a Christian's sin is paid for in full. The old covenant is no longer necessary. Isn't that what we've learned since we were little kids making Popsicle stick crosses during Sunday school? So that means there is no outstanding balance, right?
Most Christians know the grace of Ephesians 2:8+9 in their heads: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." But so frequently, we fail to embrace it with our hearts.
We're familiar with the grace preached on Easter Sunday but not sure what to do with it a few weeks later when we blow it. So even though we know that we're forgiven once and for all, we frequently lay down our bloody cloths at the cross and then take them right back up again.
We know God's grace is sufficient and yet we feel compelled to pay for those icky sins by ourselves. But does this practice do us any good? The Bible makes it clear that we can add nothing to the payment Christ already made for us, for it was perfect and wholly adequate.
So, we must simply put our faith in Christ and confess our sins to Him. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Likewise, the book of Acts clearly affirms that it is one's belief in Christ that clears them of their sinfulness. Acts 10:43 declares, “…whoever believes in Him (Christ) will receive remission of sins.”
Now picture a trash-can or a dumpster sitting next to the cross of Calvary. Or just picture the disgusting one next to the toilet in your downstairs bathroom. It's usually smelly, sticky, and germ-laden. The dumpster is the place where you stash all of your household waste. Once you throw it there (frequently for a three pointer from twenty feet away), you hope you'll never have to see it again.
Where does it go? Who knows? We just hope that we don't have to touch it again. The plethora of gum wrappers, q-tips, cotton balls, rogue pieces of gum, and used tissues are thrown into the magical bin for good. And for a fairly reasonable fee, the trash company takes it from our house every Thursday morning to some mysterious landfill for the rest of our known lives.
This is such simple faith. Do you ever stop the garbage man to ask if he's going to bring it back again? Of course not, right? And I'm guessing you don't challenge him about where he's taking it either. So while it might sound insulting to compare God to the trash company, metaphorically speaking, it works if you think it through. He too wants to pick up our garbage and take it from us, never to be seen again.
He doesn’t want us to sift through the trash-can to retrieve our old waste. Isn’t that a disgusting thought, to sort through your old garbage? And yet, we as Christians rummage through our own spiritual trash bins looking for old offenses and faults all the time. It seems obvious that we should not take back the burdens of our past sins. But, we frequently lay our sins at the cross with doubt and tentative concern. God simply wants us to drop them, walk away, and to not look back.
Sure, we will need to deposit new ones at the cross, asking the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing as they arise. But, then we should walk away with His peace and forgiveness in a similar fashion to our old ones. Our response should reflect an attitude of relief and freedom, not uncertainty and fear.
Hebrews chapter ten affirms the adequate payment Christ made on the cross for the Believer. Verse twelve proclaims, “But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
The Bible passage goes on to reference Jeremiah 31:34 in verse seventeen: “…‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” Paul concludes this point in verse eighteen saying, “Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”
So, how do we respond? We should meditate upon the full value of Christ's atonement for our sins. This means two things. First, we shouldn't sin so that we can rake in a bigger portion of His grace. God obviously wants us to be filled with His spirit so we can live in obedience on a daily basis.
Second, we need to fully receive God's grace for our brokenness by being thankful and confident. What an insult it is when we take back our sins because we think Christ's payment is inadequate. It's like telling the trash collector that you think you should hold onto your own garbage since clearly you can keep track of it better than he can.
So the next time you carry the trash out to the dumpster, think of the cross and how you can correspondingly let go of your spiritual garbage for good. You can walk away and feel your burdens lifted. When Satan tempts you to take them back, picture Christ hanging from the cross saying, “It is done.” Then, spend some time in prayer thanking Jesus for the amazing forgiveness He offers you. Encourage others with this truth as well. Christ came to set us free! :)
Two thousand years later, what does this mean for us? It stands in our hearts and minds as a metaphorical starting point for the journey to find peace and freedom. The intersection of those two wooden beams is the exact spot where forgiveness exists.
Man's sinfulness meets God's perfect grace. So we get to lay down our offenses and faults no matter how disgusting or crude they are. We no longer have to carry the humiliating weight of guilt and shame that the sinfulness has caused.
Nor do we have to pay for our own sinfulness by completing a list of never-ending good works or mantras. Imagine the labor and tedium which the Jews of the Old Testament had to maintain; it was one sacrifice plus another, plus another, plus like five thousand more and on and on the cycle of atonement went.
In contrast, a Christian is set free from the chaotic cycle that the Jews had to endure. The Jews were required to make amends for their wrongdoings. But we get to set all the gook and crap at the foot of the cross and walk away empty handed; Christ completely covered over our darkness and grotesqueness.
In Matthew 26:28, Christ is recorded saying, “For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” So this means that the weight of a Christian's sin is paid for in full. The old covenant is no longer necessary. Isn't that what we've learned since we were little kids making Popsicle stick crosses during Sunday school? So that means there is no outstanding balance, right?
Most Christians know the grace of Ephesians 2:8+9 in their heads: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." But so frequently, we fail to embrace it with our hearts.
We're familiar with the grace preached on Easter Sunday but not sure what to do with it a few weeks later when we blow it. So even though we know that we're forgiven once and for all, we frequently lay down our bloody cloths at the cross and then take them right back up again.
We know God's grace is sufficient and yet we feel compelled to pay for those icky sins by ourselves. But does this practice do us any good? The Bible makes it clear that we can add nothing to the payment Christ already made for us, for it was perfect and wholly adequate.
So, we must simply put our faith in Christ and confess our sins to Him. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Likewise, the book of Acts clearly affirms that it is one's belief in Christ that clears them of their sinfulness. Acts 10:43 declares, “…whoever believes in Him (Christ) will receive remission of sins.”
Now picture a trash-can or a dumpster sitting next to the cross of Calvary. Or just picture the disgusting one next to the toilet in your downstairs bathroom. It's usually smelly, sticky, and germ-laden. The dumpster is the place where you stash all of your household waste. Once you throw it there (frequently for a three pointer from twenty feet away), you hope you'll never have to see it again.
Where does it go? Who knows? We just hope that we don't have to touch it again. The plethora of gum wrappers, q-tips, cotton balls, rogue pieces of gum, and used tissues are thrown into the magical bin for good. And for a fairly reasonable fee, the trash company takes it from our house every Thursday morning to some mysterious landfill for the rest of our known lives.
This is such simple faith. Do you ever stop the garbage man to ask if he's going to bring it back again? Of course not, right? And I'm guessing you don't challenge him about where he's taking it either. So while it might sound insulting to compare God to the trash company, metaphorically speaking, it works if you think it through. He too wants to pick up our garbage and take it from us, never to be seen again.
He doesn’t want us to sift through the trash-can to retrieve our old waste. Isn’t that a disgusting thought, to sort through your old garbage? And yet, we as Christians rummage through our own spiritual trash bins looking for old offenses and faults all the time. It seems obvious that we should not take back the burdens of our past sins. But, we frequently lay our sins at the cross with doubt and tentative concern. God simply wants us to drop them, walk away, and to not look back.
Sure, we will need to deposit new ones at the cross, asking the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing as they arise. But, then we should walk away with His peace and forgiveness in a similar fashion to our old ones. Our response should reflect an attitude of relief and freedom, not uncertainty and fear.
Hebrews chapter ten affirms the adequate payment Christ made on the cross for the Believer. Verse twelve proclaims, “But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
The Bible passage goes on to reference Jeremiah 31:34 in verse seventeen: “…‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” Paul concludes this point in verse eighteen saying, “Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”
So, how do we respond? We should meditate upon the full value of Christ's atonement for our sins. This means two things. First, we shouldn't sin so that we can rake in a bigger portion of His grace. God obviously wants us to be filled with His spirit so we can live in obedience on a daily basis.
Second, we need to fully receive God's grace for our brokenness by being thankful and confident. What an insult it is when we take back our sins because we think Christ's payment is inadequate. It's like telling the trash collector that you think you should hold onto your own garbage since clearly you can keep track of it better than he can.
So the next time you carry the trash out to the dumpster, think of the cross and how you can correspondingly let go of your spiritual garbage for good. You can walk away and feel your burdens lifted. When Satan tempts you to take them back, picture Christ hanging from the cross saying, “It is done.” Then, spend some time in prayer thanking Jesus for the amazing forgiveness He offers you. Encourage others with this truth as well. Christ came to set us free! :)
Labels: cross, dumpster, forgiveness, Jesus
Saturday, December 18, 2010
"Unless Jesus comes back first..."
I love kids. Their perspectives are so sobering, especially when it comes to issues of faith and hope. My five-year-old daughter loves to talk about death, which might seem strange. But even that pensive topic becomes exciting because of her young and optimistic outlook.
Her plethora of questions about death, such as, "When I'm forty-seven, will you be dead?" or "When you are one-hundred-and-ten, will Grammy still be alive?" are ongoing. But her introspection always reminds me of the promise that we have in Jesus.
In my most gentle voice, I usually say, "Well, when you are that old, I will be really old..." or "... by then, Grammy will be in heaven with Jesus." AND THEN my daughter says, "Unless Jesus comes back first."
You see, she actually believes that He might come back during our lifetime. And why shouldn't she? No-one knows the day or time, remember? The Bible tells us that we should be ready at all times, but do we take that challenge seriously?
That truth means we are to live today as if He might actually come back today. Perhaps He will return tomorrow or maybe even on Christmas Day? In light of these thoughts, let's cling to the things that truly matter, like our families and friends and their walk with the Lord. Let's pray together and study His Word.
Time certainly flies by like each passing breath, but let's not fear death. It has no sting, remember? Sickness will come into your life at some point just as the storms arrive to water the earth. But, let it strengthen you as you press into His power.
Let go of old hurts as well; move on towards God's peace because He can't wait to see you face to face sometime very soon. In that moment, He will take away all of your pain. That means that you can forgive your trespassers today since His love for you is even greater than the hurt that they have caused.
So what would you do if Jesus came back today? Would you be ready to head off to heaven? Would you be done drinking your coffee, paying those bills, cleaning that tile, or wrapping those fun presents? You might have to leave that dish baking in the oven... you know... or that load of laundry turning in the washing machine.
Since Christmas is approaching, let's take a few moments to sit with the Lord, Jesus. Let's rest in His arms and rejoice for what lies ahead: a heaven where there are no tears, no suffering, and a place where every wrong will be righted.
Slow down to hear from the Savior and take a minute to sing to Him. It is His birthday after all! Share your thoughts about heaven and hope. We'd love to hear from you! Merry Christmas! :)
Her plethora of questions about death, such as, "When I'm forty-seven, will you be dead?" or "When you are one-hundred-and-ten, will Grammy still be alive?" are ongoing. But her introspection always reminds me of the promise that we have in Jesus.
In my most gentle voice, I usually say, "Well, when you are that old, I will be really old..." or "... by then, Grammy will be in heaven with Jesus." AND THEN my daughter says, "Unless Jesus comes back first."
You see, she actually believes that He might come back during our lifetime. And why shouldn't she? No-one knows the day or time, remember? The Bible tells us that we should be ready at all times, but do we take that challenge seriously?
That truth means we are to live today as if He might actually come back today. Perhaps He will return tomorrow or maybe even on Christmas Day? In light of these thoughts, let's cling to the things that truly matter, like our families and friends and their walk with the Lord. Let's pray together and study His Word.
Time certainly flies by like each passing breath, but let's not fear death. It has no sting, remember? Sickness will come into your life at some point just as the storms arrive to water the earth. But, let it strengthen you as you press into His power.
Let go of old hurts as well; move on towards God's peace because He can't wait to see you face to face sometime very soon. In that moment, He will take away all of your pain. That means that you can forgive your trespassers today since His love for you is even greater than the hurt that they have caused.
So what would you do if Jesus came back today? Would you be ready to head off to heaven? Would you be done drinking your coffee, paying those bills, cleaning that tile, or wrapping those fun presents? You might have to leave that dish baking in the oven... you know... or that load of laundry turning in the washing machine.
Since Christmas is approaching, let's take a few moments to sit with the Lord, Jesus. Let's rest in His arms and rejoice for what lies ahead: a heaven where there are no tears, no suffering, and a place where every wrong will be righted.
Slow down to hear from the Savior and take a minute to sing to Him. It is His birthday after all! Share your thoughts about heaven and hope. We'd love to hear from you! Merry Christmas! :)
Labels: Christmas, faith, family, Jesus
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sit at the Feet of Jesus
To sit at the feet of Jesus... what does this mean? It's a challenging concept because it's not like he's right in front of us, staring into our eyes. In our scientific world where we depend upon empirical evidence, it's hard to wrap our heads around this idea... to sit at the feet of Jesus. And let's just say that we could actually sit in his presence, what does this look like in practical terms? Here are three simple thoughts to get us moving in the right direction.
First, slow down physically. Sitting at the feet of Jesus means jumping out of the race for a few moments. We get so busy with our day to day tasks that we find it taxing to stop and rest at Jesus' feet. But, this is essential because when we stop to listen, we can actually hear from God, even if it's just a whisper. As we sit down to listen to the Lord, we are able to "Be still and know that (He is) God..." (Psalm 46:10).
Second, slow down mentally. Find a place where you can be alone. This means no cell phones, no laptops, no iPods, and no Kindles. Sometimes, this feels impossible because you live in a house full of family members or room-mates. So, you might just need to get away to a quiet spot in your garden or patio. If you can wake up before everyone else, spend a few moments in your living room or even in that cozy chair next to your bed.
Mark 1:35 shares how Jesus went away to be by Himself to speak with his Father: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." He took some time away from Simon and his companions because even he needed some time alone to pray.
Third, slow down spiritually. Sometimes it's hard to "feel" spiritual. We get so distracted by the concerns around us: the plethora of unpaid bills, the text messages flooding our cell phones, or the stubborn check-engine light on our dashboard. To make this easier, place some symbols in front of you during your prayer-time to remind you of who Jesus is... even amidst life's daily stresses.
A good friend of mine likes to light a candle when she prays. The symbol of light reminds us of who Jesus is. John 1:4 says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (v. 4). Another symbol could be a glass of water. Set it next to you during your prayer-time as a reminder of Jesus as the God of miracles. In John, chapter 2, Jesus turned the water into wine during the wedding banquet at Cana in Galilee. Remember that Jesus can do miracles in your life today as well.
Share how you slow down to sit at Jesus' feet. We'd love to hear from you. :)
First, slow down physically. Sitting at the feet of Jesus means jumping out of the race for a few moments. We get so busy with our day to day tasks that we find it taxing to stop and rest at Jesus' feet. But, this is essential because when we stop to listen, we can actually hear from God, even if it's just a whisper. As we sit down to listen to the Lord, we are able to "Be still and know that (He is) God..." (Psalm 46:10).
Second, slow down mentally. Find a place where you can be alone. This means no cell phones, no laptops, no iPods, and no Kindles. Sometimes, this feels impossible because you live in a house full of family members or room-mates. So, you might just need to get away to a quiet spot in your garden or patio. If you can wake up before everyone else, spend a few moments in your living room or even in that cozy chair next to your bed.
Mark 1:35 shares how Jesus went away to be by Himself to speak with his Father: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." He took some time away from Simon and his companions because even he needed some time alone to pray.
Third, slow down spiritually. Sometimes it's hard to "feel" spiritual. We get so distracted by the concerns around us: the plethora of unpaid bills, the text messages flooding our cell phones, or the stubborn check-engine light on our dashboard. To make this easier, place some symbols in front of you during your prayer-time to remind you of who Jesus is... even amidst life's daily stresses.
A good friend of mine likes to light a candle when she prays. The symbol of light reminds us of who Jesus is. John 1:4 says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (v. 4). Another symbol could be a glass of water. Set it next to you during your prayer-time as a reminder of Jesus as the God of miracles. In John, chapter 2, Jesus turned the water into wine during the wedding banquet at Cana in Galilee. Remember that Jesus can do miracles in your life today as well.
Share how you slow down to sit at Jesus' feet. We'd love to hear from you. :)
Labels: faith, family, Jesus, prayer
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saved by Grace
What if you died today? Do you know where you would go? Most people become extremely stressed out when they have to discuss the topic of death. Whether it involves the planning of a will, someone's life insurance policy, or just religious beliefs in general, people frequently prefer to avoid the topic.
When you see those corny commercials where the wife and husband happen to wander into the kitchen for a late-night snack at the exact same minute, you sense the fabrication of the scene. You'd bet a million dollars you were about to watch a life insurance advertisement. And, usually you'd be right.
Why is it that we avoid the topic of death? Or, at the very least, why does it make us shift uncomfortably in our seat, no matter where we're sitting? I think it's because we prefer to be alive, so it makes the topic of death or of dying a pretty uncomfortable one. But, here's the real deal: death is cool. Unlike the phony life insurance commercial that's supposed to give you the warm fuzzies, the Bible offers hope and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
When you do come face to face with conversations pertaining to death, grab your Bible. Not that you shouldn't get all of your practical financial issues in order pertaining to passing away, but your peace with the Creator should come as the biggest priority. As I was driving up a long road after dropping my three kids at school, the concept of God's grace was really soaking in to my thick skull covered by medium-length brown hair.
While I've had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ since I was ten years old, I was really blown away during my time alone in the car by the fact that there's nothing I have to worry about spiritually before I die. I don't have to stress about the "what ifs" before dying because Jesus is my bridge, my peace, and my full payment. Sometimes death seems stressful because you might think, "Well, I have to do this, this, and that before I die...how stressful not to know when it will be?"
The thing is, if you walk with Jesus, HE is your all in all. He is sufficient. Doesn't that blow your mind? Of course, your life should demonstrate your love for Him on a daily basis, but you don't have to worry about the incidentals. He's taken care of them. You already have your "Get out of Jail Free" pass.
The popular verse that shows up in the background of NFL games is the basic truth of our faith. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But, some people want to complicate the Gospel's simplicity by saying, "But you also have to do this, that, and the other thing. It's not just because of Jesus."
The next verse states, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." You see, it's not really about you, it's just about Jesus. He won't bully His way into your heart, but once He comes in, He's there to stay. Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." It does not say, "If you do all of these other things too." What a relief, huh? While I definitely love LIVING, I'm pretty stoked about dying too. Heaven is gonna be the party of the century, so we better start sending out our Evites now.
When you see those corny commercials where the wife and husband happen to wander into the kitchen for a late-night snack at the exact same minute, you sense the fabrication of the scene. You'd bet a million dollars you were about to watch a life insurance advertisement. And, usually you'd be right.
Why is it that we avoid the topic of death? Or, at the very least, why does it make us shift uncomfortably in our seat, no matter where we're sitting? I think it's because we prefer to be alive, so it makes the topic of death or of dying a pretty uncomfortable one. But, here's the real deal: death is cool. Unlike the phony life insurance commercial that's supposed to give you the warm fuzzies, the Bible offers hope and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
When you do come face to face with conversations pertaining to death, grab your Bible. Not that you shouldn't get all of your practical financial issues in order pertaining to passing away, but your peace with the Creator should come as the biggest priority. As I was driving up a long road after dropping my three kids at school, the concept of God's grace was really soaking in to my thick skull covered by medium-length brown hair.
While I've had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ since I was ten years old, I was really blown away during my time alone in the car by the fact that there's nothing I have to worry about spiritually before I die. I don't have to stress about the "what ifs" before dying because Jesus is my bridge, my peace, and my full payment. Sometimes death seems stressful because you might think, "Well, I have to do this, this, and that before I die...how stressful not to know when it will be?"
The thing is, if you walk with Jesus, HE is your all in all. He is sufficient. Doesn't that blow your mind? Of course, your life should demonstrate your love for Him on a daily basis, but you don't have to worry about the incidentals. He's taken care of them. You already have your "Get out of Jail Free" pass.
The popular verse that shows up in the background of NFL games is the basic truth of our faith. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But, some people want to complicate the Gospel's simplicity by saying, "But you also have to do this, that, and the other thing. It's not just because of Jesus."
The next verse states, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." You see, it's not really about you, it's just about Jesus. He won't bully His way into your heart, but once He comes in, He's there to stay. Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." It does not say, "If you do all of these other things too." What a relief, huh? While I definitely love LIVING, I'm pretty stoked about dying too. Heaven is gonna be the party of the century, so we better start sending out our Evites now.
Labels: Bible, death, grace, Jesus
