I was reminded yesterday that Christ did not die on the cross because he had no choice.
Christ did not die on the cross in vain.
No, his death - his ugly, violent, cruel, torturous death - was freely offered up. In love. For me.
If an army buddy saved you from certain death, you would be forever grateful.
If a good neighbor pulled you out of your burning house, saving your life, you would find as many ways as you could to repay them.
But Christ, who died to save your life from an ETERNITY in the lake of fire, rarely gets any acknowledgement - much less thanks or love or devotion.
But Christ DID offer up his own life for mine - he suffered the most cruel deaths so that I did not have to.
And when I came to that point where I recognized that sacrifice and realized it was for me - personally, for me - I accepted his payment for my sin and I surrendered my life to serve Him who saved me - forever.
God doesn't save us and set us aside. God desires a relationship with us. A personal, daily, one-on-one relationship. Like you have with your best friend. It's a two-way street; he even wrote you a love letter!! (It's called His Word).
No, God doesn't save us and set us aside. The question is:
Have I set HIM aside?
Monday, July 13, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
On Being Engaged...and Beyond: Org. Post January 2014
Recently overheard:
Young man recently engaged: "Yep, come May I'll have an ol' ball & chain!"
Now, before we go any further, I want to tell you about this young man.
This young man has trusted Jesus as his Savior. And I believe he loves the Lord and wants to serve Him with his life. He has a wonderful godly family, a wonderful sense of humor, is multi-talented, and is now engaged to a beautiful godly young lady.
And I know he made the above statement entirely in jest and that he loves his bride-to-be with all his heart.
So why even bring it up?
Well, because God has taught me some things over the years. And one of those things is that even in jest, the things we say impact our attitudes. The things we watch - like those "funny" and "harmless" tv shows (the ones the bash the dad for being an idiot, or promote living together without being married, or lift up rebellious kids as being funny and cute, etc, etc, etc) - those things impact our attitude. These things are subtle and seem like "not a big deal."
Exactly what Satan would like us to believe. That it's no big deal.
But here's the challenge: What if, instead of talking about our spouses as balls & chains - even in jest - we talked about how precious they are to us? How much we love and appreciate their sense of humor? Their gentleness? Their godliness? What if we actually talked about them the way we actually feel - or should feel? I guarantee that the man who treats his wife (or fiance) as a precious gift from the Lord, AND talks about her that way, will develop an even deeper love and appreciation for her than he has today. I guarantee that the woman who treats her husband (or fiance) as her knight in shining armour and talks about him as such, will, in fact, HAVE a knight in shining armour!
We are too often unaware of how powerful our actions (words, deeds) impact our attitude - and then impact those we love. A one-time jest may be no big deal...but all too often, a one-time joke becomes a habit...and a habit becomes an attitude...and an attitude affects our relationships.
So be careful what you say - treat your spouse in a way that honors God - and you just might be surprised at how your spouse responds! :)
Young man recently engaged: "Yep, come May I'll have an ol' ball & chain!"
Now, before we go any further, I want to tell you about this young man.
This young man has trusted Jesus as his Savior. And I believe he loves the Lord and wants to serve Him with his life. He has a wonderful godly family, a wonderful sense of humor, is multi-talented, and is now engaged to a beautiful godly young lady.
And I know he made the above statement entirely in jest and that he loves his bride-to-be with all his heart.
So why even bring it up?
Well, because God has taught me some things over the years. And one of those things is that even in jest, the things we say impact our attitudes. The things we watch - like those "funny" and "harmless" tv shows (the ones the bash the dad for being an idiot, or promote living together without being married, or lift up rebellious kids as being funny and cute, etc, etc, etc) - those things impact our attitude. These things are subtle and seem like "not a big deal."
Exactly what Satan would like us to believe. That it's no big deal.
But here's the challenge: What if, instead of talking about our spouses as balls & chains - even in jest - we talked about how precious they are to us? How much we love and appreciate their sense of humor? Their gentleness? Their godliness? What if we actually talked about them the way we actually feel - or should feel? I guarantee that the man who treats his wife (or fiance) as a precious gift from the Lord, AND talks about her that way, will develop an even deeper love and appreciation for her than he has today. I guarantee that the woman who treats her husband (or fiance) as her knight in shining armour and talks about him as such, will, in fact, HAVE a knight in shining armour!
We are too often unaware of how powerful our actions (words, deeds) impact our attitude - and then impact those we love. A one-time jest may be no big deal...but all too often, a one-time joke becomes a habit...and a habit becomes an attitude...and an attitude affects our relationships.
So be careful what you say - treat your spouse in a way that honors God - and you just might be surprised at how your spouse responds! :)
Sunday, April 19, 2015
What's the big deal about Sunday School???
I don't know about your church, but our church has Sunday School.
Adult Sunday School, as well as Sunday School for the younger kids.
Why?
Well, it's another opportunity to grow and to learn about the Lord. But it's so much more than that...
In a classroom setting, you have an opportunity to ask questions. How many times have you sat in a preaching service and wondered: Just what exactly did the preacher mean by that? And what in the world does THAT word mean??
It's just a tad bit awkward to raise your hand to ask those questions in the middle of the morning service.
But not in Sunday School.
In fact, most teachers - mine included - long for some class participation!
It's also an opportunity to get to know other adults in your church on a more personal level.
Most classes are organized by "theme" if you will - some classes are for "Young Marrieds" or "Young Families". Or maybe "Senior Saints" or "Homebuilders" or "Parents of Teens." Some classes are more topical, such as our class, which is called "Foundations" - where we study the basic foundations of our faith in Christ.
So, all that to say that often the people in the class with you have similar interests or are in a similar life-stage as you are. Sharing testimonies and prayer requests in this small group setting allows you to know & understand that person you're sitting next to just a little bit better. And then, of course, a class fellowship, often outside the church setting, is a great way to build friendships and relationships with other adults that you really don't have an opportunity to do in a normal Sunday morning service setting.
Of course, the most important thing about Sunday School is the Lord Himself. I have to admit, I was SO encouraged this morning in my own class...the teacher dealt with some very practical, very applicable information. Here's what I mean:
If you've been saved for any length of time, you understand that a believer's "go to" answer to almost any question is this: Go to church, read your bible, and pray. For example:
How do you grow in the Lord?
How do you gain the courage to go soul winning?
How should I deal with this challenge I am facing?
How do I become a better mom? dad? wife? daughter?
Go to church, read your bible, and pray.
Get the picture? But here's where going to Sunday School gets down to the nitty-gritty - this morning, our teacher asked this question:
How do you know, where you're seeking God's direction, if you're hearing GOD - or someone else??
Well, you could throw up the answers above - but they're not very helpful on the nitty-gritty level. But here's what we learned this morning:
1. First and foremost, you must be saved - you must have a personal relationship with the Lord. "My sheep hear my voice and I know them..." John 10:27 You can't begin to hear the voice of someone you don't even know.
2. After that, hearing God's voice begins with a willing heart. You won't hear God if you don't give him your attention; if you're not willing to hear.
3. We have to listen carefully - God does not SHOUT! Elijah didn't hear God in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire - but in a still small voice.
4. God's voice always lines up with His Word - he will NEVER contradict himself. Example - God is never going to tell you to do something that is going to put Him anywhere but your FIRST priority - so if that job offer, or that move, or that committee is going to cause you to miss church, or miss service opportunities, or miss anything that would keep you close the Lord, it's not God's voice that you're hearing.
5. Don't "follow your heart" - this is worldly advice! How do I know? Scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Isaiah 17:9. My heart is wicked! It's wants what pleases self, not God - don't follow it!
6. Don't trust in circumstances - they are ever changing!! How do you trust something that is never the same from day to day or moment to moment? But God NEVER changes -he is always the same, yesterday, today & forever.
7. And then, as in the answers above, read God's Word - faithfully, EVERY day. All the answers you seek are there. And the world, your flesh, your lost family & friends - they don't have God's answers. They only have their own wisdom and their own ideas. Which do you think is more trustworthy - the God of all creation? the One who created YOU? the one who is wiser than anyone you could ever know - or another man, like you, who on his best day is still just a man?
What's the big deal about Sunday School??? If you're not in it, you're missing a vital part of your Christian walk and a huge opportunity to become more like Christ.
Get in Sunday School - God wants you there.
Adult Sunday School, as well as Sunday School for the younger kids.
Why?
Well, it's another opportunity to grow and to learn about the Lord. But it's so much more than that...
In a classroom setting, you have an opportunity to ask questions. How many times have you sat in a preaching service and wondered: Just what exactly did the preacher mean by that? And what in the world does THAT word mean??
It's just a tad bit awkward to raise your hand to ask those questions in the middle of the morning service.
But not in Sunday School.
In fact, most teachers - mine included - long for some class participation!
It's also an opportunity to get to know other adults in your church on a more personal level.
Most classes are organized by "theme" if you will - some classes are for "Young Marrieds" or "Young Families". Or maybe "Senior Saints" or "Homebuilders" or "Parents of Teens." Some classes are more topical, such as our class, which is called "Foundations" - where we study the basic foundations of our faith in Christ.
So, all that to say that often the people in the class with you have similar interests or are in a similar life-stage as you are. Sharing testimonies and prayer requests in this small group setting allows you to know & understand that person you're sitting next to just a little bit better. And then, of course, a class fellowship, often outside the church setting, is a great way to build friendships and relationships with other adults that you really don't have an opportunity to do in a normal Sunday morning service setting.
Of course, the most important thing about Sunday School is the Lord Himself. I have to admit, I was SO encouraged this morning in my own class...the teacher dealt with some very practical, very applicable information. Here's what I mean:
If you've been saved for any length of time, you understand that a believer's "go to" answer to almost any question is this: Go to church, read your bible, and pray. For example:
How do you grow in the Lord?
How do you gain the courage to go soul winning?
How should I deal with this challenge I am facing?
How do I become a better mom? dad? wife? daughter?
Go to church, read your bible, and pray.
Get the picture? But here's where going to Sunday School gets down to the nitty-gritty - this morning, our teacher asked this question:
How do you know, where you're seeking God's direction, if you're hearing GOD - or someone else??
Well, you could throw up the answers above - but they're not very helpful on the nitty-gritty level. But here's what we learned this morning:
1. First and foremost, you must be saved - you must have a personal relationship with the Lord. "My sheep hear my voice and I know them..." John 10:27 You can't begin to hear the voice of someone you don't even know.
2. After that, hearing God's voice begins with a willing heart. You won't hear God if you don't give him your attention; if you're not willing to hear.
3. We have to listen carefully - God does not SHOUT! Elijah didn't hear God in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire - but in a still small voice.
4. God's voice always lines up with His Word - he will NEVER contradict himself. Example - God is never going to tell you to do something that is going to put Him anywhere but your FIRST priority - so if that job offer, or that move, or that committee is going to cause you to miss church, or miss service opportunities, or miss anything that would keep you close the Lord, it's not God's voice that you're hearing.
5. Don't "follow your heart" - this is worldly advice! How do I know? Scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Isaiah 17:9. My heart is wicked! It's wants what pleases self, not God - don't follow it!
6. Don't trust in circumstances - they are ever changing!! How do you trust something that is never the same from day to day or moment to moment? But God NEVER changes -he is always the same, yesterday, today & forever.
7. And then, as in the answers above, read God's Word - faithfully, EVERY day. All the answers you seek are there. And the world, your flesh, your lost family & friends - they don't have God's answers. They only have their own wisdom and their own ideas. Which do you think is more trustworthy - the God of all creation? the One who created YOU? the one who is wiser than anyone you could ever know - or another man, like you, who on his best day is still just a man?
What's the big deal about Sunday School??? If you're not in it, you're missing a vital part of your Christian walk and a huge opportunity to become more like Christ.
Get in Sunday School - God wants you there.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Godliness Doesn't Just 'Happen"...
Think of the people you know. People in your family. People in your church. People at your office. People at the store.
Now, think of the word "godly." And go through that list again. Can you apply that adjective to any of the people you are picturing right now?
I know good people. Hard working people. Faithful people. But sadly, the names of people I would consider "godly" would fall on a pretty short list.
Godly does not mean "holier than thou" or "perfect" or being a "spiritual giant." Godly is simply having the characteristics of God. Not characteristics of the world. Not characteristics of unbelievers. Case in point: Someone cuts you off in traffic. You get right up on his rear bumper, honking your horn, waving your arms, screaming every kind of name you can think of (even though he obviously can't hear you)...
Is that how the world (most people) would respond, or is that how Christ would respond?
Being godly takes time, effort, practice - yes, practice. It takes a determination to purpose in your heart how you will respond in certain circumstances. The amazing thing is, that we can actually practice for some situations before they even happen!!
For instance,
If you go to Walmart on a Saturday afternoon, it's going to be crowded...people are going to leave their carts in your way while they wonder off looking for something. Or they're going to stand right in the middle of the aisle, talking, while people in both directions try to get past them. Or the lady in front of you, with two full carts, has coupons and ads and Walmart Saving Catcher...and THEN realizes she left her wallet in the car and it'll just take her a minutes to go get it...
Sound familiar?
A naturally frustrating place to be. BUT - you can purpose in your heart to go and have a cheerful attitude. To smile, to wait patiently, To go on and come back to that blocked spot later.
Or how about your drive to work every day? You already know, someone is going to cut you off. Someone is going to merge without looking. Someone is going to drive 20 miles below the speed limit - in front of you AND on either side!
So how are you going to deal with that?
Decide today. Purpose in your heart TODAY.
Being godly doesn't happen overnight.
Now, think of the word "godly." And go through that list again. Can you apply that adjective to any of the people you are picturing right now?
I know good people. Hard working people. Faithful people. But sadly, the names of people I would consider "godly" would fall on a pretty short list.
Godly does not mean "holier than thou" or "perfect" or being a "spiritual giant." Godly is simply having the characteristics of God. Not characteristics of the world. Not characteristics of unbelievers. Case in point: Someone cuts you off in traffic. You get right up on his rear bumper, honking your horn, waving your arms, screaming every kind of name you can think of (even though he obviously can't hear you)...
Is that how the world (most people) would respond, or is that how Christ would respond?
Being godly takes time, effort, practice - yes, practice. It takes a determination to purpose in your heart how you will respond in certain circumstances. The amazing thing is, that we can actually practice for some situations before they even happen!!
For instance,
If you go to Walmart on a Saturday afternoon, it's going to be crowded...people are going to leave their carts in your way while they wonder off looking for something. Or they're going to stand right in the middle of the aisle, talking, while people in both directions try to get past them. Or the lady in front of you, with two full carts, has coupons and ads and Walmart Saving Catcher...and THEN realizes she left her wallet in the car and it'll just take her a minutes to go get it...
Sound familiar?
A naturally frustrating place to be. BUT - you can purpose in your heart to go and have a cheerful attitude. To smile, to wait patiently, To go on and come back to that blocked spot later.
Or how about your drive to work every day? You already know, someone is going to cut you off. Someone is going to merge without looking. Someone is going to drive 20 miles below the speed limit - in front of you AND on either side!
So how are you going to deal with that?
Decide today. Purpose in your heart TODAY.
Being godly doesn't happen overnight.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Where's My Focus?
I find it interesting that just when I think I can't cram one more thing into my already busy schedule, the Lord stops me in my tracks.
Oh, I'm not saying He's the reason I have this flu bug or whatever it is, but certainly He allowed it. At the beginning of a very busy week. In the middle of a very busy season. When there are gifts to make, songs to practice, people to meet with, decorating to be done (and undone), presents to wrap, places to go, to do lists to accomplish...
I'm in bed for 2 days.
Sleeping.
Accomplishing nothing.
And yet, somehow, it's okay.
I am reminded that my life isn't about me and what I want to accomplish - it's about the Lord and what HE wants to accomplish through me. So I'm thinking that perhaps I was getting a bit off track and starting to stress about the unimportant stuff (something I do more often then I care to admit). That perhaps my focus has been on doing those things that make ME feel good, instead of being focused on doing things to make others feel good - to be an encouragement, a help.
So, I'm re-focusing. Oh, the house still needs to be cleaned and there are still gifts to wrap and decorating to be done - but before all that, there are friends that need a kind word, a hug (when I'm over being sick, of course), a note of encouragement - family members that need to hear "I love you!" just because...because at the end of the day, if my house is clean, the gifts are wrapped and my house looks festive - who cares, if I have not shown love to the people God has put in my life?
So, thank you, Lord, for ALL that you allow in my life, be it sickness or health, thank you for loving me and reminding me to strive to be more like you.
Oh, I'm not saying He's the reason I have this flu bug or whatever it is, but certainly He allowed it. At the beginning of a very busy week. In the middle of a very busy season. When there are gifts to make, songs to practice, people to meet with, decorating to be done (and undone), presents to wrap, places to go, to do lists to accomplish...
I'm in bed for 2 days.
Sleeping.
Accomplishing nothing.
And yet, somehow, it's okay.
I am reminded that my life isn't about me and what I want to accomplish - it's about the Lord and what HE wants to accomplish through me. So I'm thinking that perhaps I was getting a bit off track and starting to stress about the unimportant stuff (something I do more often then I care to admit). That perhaps my focus has been on doing those things that make ME feel good, instead of being focused on doing things to make others feel good - to be an encouragement, a help.
So, I'm re-focusing. Oh, the house still needs to be cleaned and there are still gifts to wrap and decorating to be done - but before all that, there are friends that need a kind word, a hug (when I'm over being sick, of course), a note of encouragement - family members that need to hear "I love you!" just because...because at the end of the day, if my house is clean, the gifts are wrapped and my house looks festive - who cares, if I have not shown love to the people God has put in my life?
So, thank you, Lord, for ALL that you allow in my life, be it sickness or health, thank you for loving me and reminding me to strive to be more like you.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
What Would You Do if You Hit the Jackpot??
I'm supposed to be reading through Luke in my morning quiet time. But I keep going back to Luke 5:1-11...it's a familiar story, but this idea keeps rolling through my mind:
Peter, James, John, and possibly other men, at Jesus' command, pull in the biggest catch of their lives. It was so big, the nets broke - and yet STILL they "filled both ships, so that they began to sink." (verse 7).
This is what they did for a living. This catch was no doubt THE biggest catch they'd ever had - the biggest "payday" of their lives! Can you imagine - what if they could catch fish like this EVERY night? They'd be RICH! No more worries, no more stress - think of all the GOOD they could do with their new-found wealth!
But verse 11 says, "When they brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."
They left the fish in the boats.
They left the boats on the shore.
They didn't run to the market.
They didn't run to the bank.
They didn't even run and tell their families.
Their eyes were not on the fish, the catch, the "paycheck." Nor were their eyes on what the could DO with that paycheck.
Their eyes were on Jesus.
Their focus was on the man who created the fish. Who made it possible to catch the fish.
Their focus was on Jesus - because Jesus Himself is greater than any "paycheck."
And I keep wondering - where's my focus?
Peter, James, John, and possibly other men, at Jesus' command, pull in the biggest catch of their lives. It was so big, the nets broke - and yet STILL they "filled both ships, so that they began to sink." (verse 7).
This is what they did for a living. This catch was no doubt THE biggest catch they'd ever had - the biggest "payday" of their lives! Can you imagine - what if they could catch fish like this EVERY night? They'd be RICH! No more worries, no more stress - think of all the GOOD they could do with their new-found wealth!
But verse 11 says, "When they brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."
They left the fish in the boats.
They left the boats on the shore.
They didn't run to the market.
They didn't run to the bank.
They didn't even run and tell their families.
Their eyes were not on the fish, the catch, the "paycheck." Nor were their eyes on what the could DO with that paycheck.
Their eyes were on Jesus.
Their focus was on the man who created the fish. Who made it possible to catch the fish.
Their focus was on Jesus - because Jesus Himself is greater than any "paycheck."
And I keep wondering - where's my focus?
Friday, October 3, 2014
The Peter Progression
A few days ago during my morning quiet time, I was reading in Mark 14. It wasn't a new passage for me, but I found the footnotes in my bible to be somewhat intriguing, for they caused me to do some hard thinking.
This passage of scripture deals with Peter's declaration of utter devotion to the Lord and ends with his bitter weeping as he denies Christ, just as Jesus had told him he would. The footnotes on this passage point out the progressive steps that happened between Point A and Point B - and this I found interesting:
Have a blessed day, y'all!
This passage of scripture deals with Peter's declaration of utter devotion to the Lord and ends with his bitter weeping as he denies Christ, just as Jesus had told him he would. The footnotes on this passage point out the progressive steps that happened between Point A and Point B - and this I found interesting:
- Peter is over-confident (v29-31) - he claims absolute devotion without understanding all that is taking and will take place.
- Peter is not praying (v37, 40-41) - Jesus only takes 3 men with him while he goes to pray, yet they fall asleep. Even if they didn't understand everything Jesus was telling them, they would have had to notice his solemn demeanor and could have been praying with him or for him.
- Peter didn't listen to Christ (v.47, Luke 22:49-51). Christ is not upset by the approach of Judas and the soldiers, yet Peter gets all riled up and chops off an ear! He was very obviously not following Christ's example.
- Peter associated with the wrong crowd (v54) - Peter tries to blend in with the servants around the fire. (I admit, I'm not 100% convinced of this point; it seems a little weak to me, but I also didn't take the time to develop it)
- Peter reverted to old habits (v.71) - he was cursing and using language a Christ-follower should not be using.
- Peter out-right denied knowing Jesus (v71).
- Confess Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior! Salvation is the beginning of new life.
- Give up old habits. You are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) - old things need to pass away! And they can when you rely on God. (Phil. 4:13)
- Surround yourself with godly people who love the Lord! (Hebrews 10:25)
- "Listen" to the Lord by: going to a bible-preaching church, reading and studying God's word for yourself, praying and listening, seeking godly counsel.
- Pray! Don't just ask others to pray for you; you need to pray yourself - and not just FOR yourself, but for others, always seeking to glorify God in your prayers. (Eph. 6:18, Eph. 5:20)
- Put your confidence in the Lord. (Eph 3:12, Phil 1:6)
Have a blessed day, y'all!
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