In Him

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” - Ephesians 1:7

If you read Ephesians 1:1-14 you will find the following words used:
you (r) 4 times
our 4 times
we 5 times
us 6 times
in 16 times
God, Christ, etc. 37 times

Our union with Christ is the key theme and doctrine of Scripture in this passage. “In him” or “In Christ” is used repeatedly to remind us that we are united with Jesus Christ. Life is all because of God and everything is for him. This is a vertical unity with Jesus, however this provides us a horizontal unity with other believers. If we are “in him” we are family, we are on the same team.

In Christ we find our true identity. Anything outside of “in him” will eventually leave us wanting, hopeless, and wandering. Paul is encouraging the Ephesians, he is wanting them to know the blessing of unity with Jesus and with one another. This is why he repeats these words, they all have to do with union. I want to encourage you to read this passage today and as you do look for the words above. Take note and ask God to help you understand what all your union with Christ means.

...every aspect of God's relationship to believers is in some way connected to our relationship with Christ. From God's counsels in eternity past before the world was created, to our fellowship with God in heaven in eternity future, and including every aspect of our relationship with God in this life—all has occurred in union with Christ. - Wayne Grudem

Further Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14

Fill In The Blanks

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippains 1:21

These epic words of Paul jump off the page reading through Philippians. His short proclamation should echo in our hearts and mind. It should cause us to rethink our perspective, our outlook on life, and challenge our priorities. What does life mean to you? Is it really all about Christ?

I have often noticed that Jesus is very hard to bring up for most people in everyday conversation. I honestly believe most Christians like talking about Christ, they may want to discuss Biblical truths and stories but somehow have bought into the lie that it would be weird or awkward to talk about God outside of “church.”

Nothing can steal our joy if we have the right mind, a single mind focused on Christ and His Kingdom. Paul was excited about Jesus, he lived to tell others about him. Jesus Christ was in Paul’s everyday conversations in all places at all times. Does Christ or the things of God excite you? Do you seek to see the Kingdom of God and his power work in and through the lives of people? It is an exciting and encouraging to watch God work and hear what God is doing. Today I challenge you to fill in the blanks.

For to me to live is __________, and to die is ___________.

What would you honestly fill in? Money, leave it all behind; power, lose it all; or fame, to be forgotten. Matthew 6:21 talks about where our treasure is there our heart will be also. Is your treasure in money, power, fame? When your treasure is Christ, when He is the purpose for living you will experience joy despite circumstances, people, things, and worry.

Further Reading: Philippians 1:21, Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:22-59

Good Measure

“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:38

If your checkbook register would be projected in front of the congregation on Sunday morning what would you do? Squirm? Run? Hide? Would you be embarrassed about where your finances are going or not going? What about your mercy and grace? If we played a video in front of the congregation of your life this past week would we see mercy, grace, and forgiveness extended to others? The idea of “good measure” in this verse implies an acceptable and inspiring act. Luke is giving us a picture of how God views the importance of having a heart full of the goodness of Christ. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

We see a similar passage in 2 Corinthians 9:8,

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

Paul in this passage is talking specifically about finances and giving to the work of God. In these Scriptures it always goes back to the heart. Are you a cheerful giver? Do you get excited about giving to the work of the Lord and watching the kingdom of God grow? I really want to encourage you to read the passages below today. Allow God to speak to you through them. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with good and take away the greed, selfishness, and dirt that is in there.

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” - Luke 6:45

Further Reading: Luke 6:17-39, 2 Corinthians 9

Helping God Out

“While regeneration breaks the tyranny of self-interest, the deliverance is not yet complete.”

- Dennis Kinlaw

Have you ever tried to help God out? Always beware when this happens. As individuals we are very biased and always enjoy telling God what to do instead of listening for his direction in our lives. The essence of sin in our lives is self-interest. We must be aware and guard against this. Self-interest will bring damage to the fellowship in relationships, especially with those closest to us.

Abram was a devout, righteous man who followed the law and was obedient to God. He could follow the rules but the LORD had to work on his trust. God made a promise to him to be the father of many nations through his own son. When Sarai continued to be barren Hagar enters the picture and they decide to take matters into their own hands instead of trusting in the promise of God. They were thinking that if God isn’t going to fulfill his promise we will have to fulfill it for him. They thought they needed to help God out.

“We have too many Christian people who ‘do right’ with the wrong motives. They ‘do right’ to advance themselves or obtain some recognition for themselves or to receive some kind of reward for themselves. That’s self-interest.... self-interest is diametrically opposed to the character of God.” - Dennis Kinlaw

Our lives are full of self-interest because sin so easily dominates our lives and typically we choose to be ignorant to it. This is a fight we must embrace, Philippians 2:4 tells us not to look to our own interests but to the interests of others. If we are honest with ourselves we would realize we have a lot of selfish junk inside of us. If God were to pick you up, hold you upside down and shake you, what dirt would come out? We constantly need “cleaned out” and replenished. Today ask God to show you what needs “cleaned out” and then ask him to fill you with the fruit of the Spirit, to live a life with the fullness of Christ in you.

Further Reading: Genesis 16 & 17, Philippians 2:4

Mind Your Manners

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” - Ephesians 4:1

Did your parents ever tell you to “mind your manners?” Maybe it was “Stop running all around the store!” They usually said this when you were embarrassing them, which typically occurred in a public setting or when other people were around. In their eyes you weren’t walking in the manner they wanted you to. Are you concerned about the manner in which you walk? Paul is urging the Ephesians to be who God called them to be. To not run out of control but to understand the high call the Lord Jesus has placed on you and to not defame the name of Christ but to exalt it.

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”
- Ephesians 4:2

What does your walk look like? Americans are people who want things now. We don’t like to wait. Our fast food needs to be fast, traffic jams drive us nuts, and we lose our minds when the satellite or internet isn’t working. If we truly look at our culture and our lives we see that pride runs rampant, patience is nowhere to be found, and love for the most part is a selfish replacement for what real love should be.

We as kids hated when our parents told us to “mind your manners.” As believers we need to embrace a manner worthy of the calling which we have been called. We need people to tell us to “mind your manners” even if we don’t like it. Christ and His kingdom has to be of the utmost importance in our lives. It has to be greater than our self.

Further Reading: Ephesians 4

Telescopes & Microscopes

telescope: an optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and therefore nearer
microscope: an optical instrument that uses a lens or combination of lenses to produce a magnified image

Does Jesus Christ need to be magnified? Instantly we think how could an infinite, glorious God need or use a mere depraved human being to magnify the Son of God? God is so much bigger than us, but yet so are the stars. Telescopes were made so we could see these large stars that are so far away and bring them close and near to us. The telescope has helped us see what the stars really look like. Our body, our lives, our character, everything we do as a follower of Jesus Christ is to be a telescope to the world that brings Christ close and near to people.

The roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it. - C.S. Lewis

This broken world has a small view of God. For the most part it is also a very distorted view of God. A microscope produces a magnified image and so must our lives. No matter what our circumstances or lot in life may be we can magnify Christ, we can be a microscope. Our lives are a lens which others look through to see Jesus. Just as you may need glasses or contacts to see clearly, a lost world needs Christians to be the lens to see who Jesus really is. Today will you be that lens? We can have immense impact on a lost world by living a life magnifying Christ. You may not think so, but a lost world is searching and they are watching you.

“...Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death.” - Philippians 1:20a

A God's Eye Perspective

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” - Matthew 13:44

Someone once asked me if I look at life through my own eyes or do I like the view looking over the shoulder of God? What perspective or presuppositions do we have when we read Scripture, grow relationships, think about the church, or minister to others? Do you view life from your own perspective or do you see it as God sees it?

In Luke 18 & 19 we see three stories about perspective. A rich young ruler who was trying to earn or do what was needed to enter the kingdom of God is the first one. All his self-righteousness meant nothing, what Jesus was offering was something he couldn’t see the value in because his eyes were fixed on earthly things. He held tightly to his wealth, possessions, and status which cost him eternal riches. Next week see the blind beggar and Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” After asking for sight he was healed and God was glorified. The question still lingers though, did the blind beggar have the right perspective? His primary concern was his physical need of sight, although he recognized Jesus as God the greater spiritual need took a secondary position. In the third story we Jesus’s encounter with Zacchaeus. He had a God’s eye perspective, he recognized who Jesus was, what he represented, and was willing to give up everything and follow him. What ever Jesus wanted him to do he was willing to do it.

Is that true of you? Which one of these stories most represents your life? Are you holding on to the things of this world so tightly that it is keeping you from God? Maybe you are so focused on your physical needs (or wants) that you have become totally ignorant to your spiritual need. My prayer is that you would be like Zacchaeus. That you would realize Jesus Christ is worthy and deserves everything. When Zacchaeus encountered the love and grace of Jesus he responded with a God’s eye perspective. How are you responding?

“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” - Luke 19:8

Further Reading: Luke 18 & 19

The Question of Love

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” - Malachi 1:2

One of the most dangerous places to be is questioning the love of God. Throughout our spiritual walk we will have times of doubt, we will struggle with understanding some theological concepts, but we must believe the Word of God and His promises to be true. In the book of Malachi he exposes and answers the doubts of those who question God’s love. We all have agendas, dreams, and goals that focus on us and when it seems like God doesn’t bless what we want or do things the way we want him to we start to question whether or not he loves us.

We all at times can have this struggle, an attitude like this is immature and needs to be grown into maturity. The people in Malachi’s time were complaining and begrudgingly offering sacrifices to God. They did not respect God, honor Him, or fear Him.

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear?” - Malachi 1:6

What should be in question is not God’s love for us but our love for God. Sometimes I think we feel like we do a good job at loving God and he needs to do a better job of loving us. How further from the truth could we be? We often think way too highly of ourselves. We view God in our image. We have a tendency to give God our scraps and that is what Malachi had to confront the Israelites about. Is God getting your scraps? Where are your first fruits going?

God loves us, this is clearly shown in Scripture, you can’t miss it if you read the Bible. If you do not believe that He loves you I challenge you to pick up your Bible and start reading. God wants us to believe, to walk in faith, and to love Him.

Further Reading: Malachi 1 & 2

Burnt Coffee

“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice, in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” - Psalm 5:3

One of the few pleasures in life is to wake up before the sunrise, enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and spend time with Jesus. These type of mornings we can cherish, they are special and we are able to submit the first fruits of our day to our God. Before the burdens and cares of life start to overwhelm and frustrate us we can lay our lives before Him as a sacrifice and watch what he does with us.

If you are like me and enjoy the fresh cup of coffee then you may have experienced the time later in the day when you go back to the same pot of coffee for round 2 and it just isn’t near as good as the first cup. When coffee sits in the pot all day it starts to burn, it loses its freshness and the taste becomes very bland and bitter. This is the battle we fight, complacency can quickly overtake us. Our nature tends to keep us comfortable sitting in the pot.

“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
- Revelation 3:16

There is a big difference between hot and warm. We must fight the warm complacency of life. It is a very comfortable and “safe” place to be however very ineffective for the kingdom of God. We were not made to be warm, we were made to burn hot with passion for our God, to let our words be few and our actions be many. Do you want to be used or do you want to be safe? Be bold, live your faith out loud, and be a vessel for God to use in a mighty way today!

Further Reading: Psalm 5:3, Revelation 3:14-22

Discerning Love

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” - Philippians 1:9-11

When you pray for others what do you ask for? We can learn a vital lesson from Paul in this passage in Philippians. We see his heart as he prays for the Philippians. Paul doesn’t want these people he loves to just be safe or comfortable, he prays for deep life changing heart issues that only come from a God who graciously gives good gifts to His children.

It is key to remember that it is not our love channeled through Christ, but Christ’s love channeled through us. Jesus Christ is the source of love, we need to ask for abounding and discerning love. The heart and mind need to work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment. Christian love is not blind or ignorant.

This life is hard, it is difficult to love people at times. When we love without discerning love it can ultimately lead back to selfishness which really isn’t love at all. When we love without discerning love we often times get used, walked over, and ultimately think we are being loving but only putting a band aid on a deep wound. This can lead to bitterness, unforgiveness, and not feeling loved in return. We have to love with the end in mind.

My prayer today for you is that your love may abound, that you would have discerning love, mature character, and mature service.

Further Reading: Philippians 1, 1 Corinthians 13

The Antidote for Discouragement

“...Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.” - 1 Samuel 1:7b

Do you know the only cure for hopelessness is hope? Often times our circumstances, people, or just the worries of this world can take us to this place of hopelessness if we are not careful. Discouragement is a dangerous thing that can very quickly take away our joy that is rightfully ours in Christ.

Hannah is truly an amazing story. Life was rough. Being mocked, barren, and not being able to have the one thing she desperately desired, a child took away most of her hope. When she hit bottom she went to the temple to find hope. We can always find hope in Yahweh and that is what happened for Hannah. You can read about it in Samuel 1.

Are you tired? weary? discouraged? Take a few notes from Hannah:
- She honestly prayed to God
- She was encouraged by others
- She put the matter in God’s hand (no more “woe is me”)

Many times the antidote for discouragement is telling God how you really feel and then leave your problems with Him. Then rely on the support of good friends and Godly counselors. We need people to help us walk through despair and discouragement. Be encouraged today, our God is greater than whatever you are facing today. Remember that discouragement changes to hope when you add God to the equation.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 1, 2 Corinthians 4

Billboards

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew 5:14

If your life was a billboard what would it say?

A billboard on a hill cannot be hidden. Recently I was doing some traveling and noticed how many billboards are alongside the highway. For the most part they are all up on hills. As you travel along the road you begin notice the many messages being presented to you. I saw signs that promoted fast food joints, hotel hot spots, gentleman’s clubs, and the occasional sign spreading the message of Christ. Billboards are placed in high traffic areas. There is research and planning in what gets advertised where. In Christ we have a life transforming message given to us. Matthew 5:15 says,

“Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We were not meant to hide. We were meant to shine. As Christians we need to be visible. The message of Jesus Christ, his redemptive work on the cross need not be hidden but spoken from the hill tops. Light is meant to shine into darkness and we are to be that light.

A billboard directs you to the destination. Many times it says the exit number, website, or general information where you can find the product advertised. Where do your words, actions, life direct people? Is your life a billboard for Christ? We have this incredible gift, this light burning bright inside of us, the question is will be allow it to shine. Remember your Father in heaven, how glorious and great he is and allow your life today to bring him glory.

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” - Philippians 2:14-15

Further Reading: Matthew 5, Philippians 2:14-18

Man In The Mirror

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” - James 1:22-24

When you look in the mirror what do you see? As you read James 1 you start to see how important it is not to rush through the Bible but to absorb the Word of God and let it penetrate into your life. James tells us that we should not only hear the word but to be a doer of the word. What good is it if we hear the words of life but never put them into practice?

Mirrors are interesting things, sometimes we like them and sometimes we don’t. It usually depends on if we have a good hair day, what our facial complexion is, if we think we look skinny or fat, etc. The one thing a mirror doesn’t do is lie. They show us what we look like no matter how good or bad it is. This is why it is crucial in our spiritual life to take a look in the mirror. It is important for us to do a spiritual inventory and evaluation. We need to ask ourselves, “In what areas have I been a hearer and not a doer?”

Michael Jackson had a hit song called “Man in the Mirror” and part of the lyrics say, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways...” It starts with us, we are the ones who need to stop living in hypocrisy. We can complain all we want about other people not changing but if we aren’t willing to start with ourselves who are we to talk? Look into the perfect law, be a doer, be a man or woman who takes an honest look in the spiritual mirror and makes a change.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” - James 1:25

Further Reading: James 1

I Wanna Be Like Mike

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” - Hebrews 13:7

Michael Jordan is in most basketball fan’s opinion the greatest player to ever play the game. Back in his prime Nike ran a marketing campaign with the slogan “be like Mike.” The whole idea was that by purchasing Nike clothes or shoes you were imitating Michael Jordan. Many young people during this time grew up wanting to be like Michael Jordan.

Do you have heroes? Do you have heroes of faith? Maybe it is the sweet old lady at church, or your parents, mentor, teacher, pastor, etc. In Hebrews it says to remember our leaders, our heroes, our Godly men and women who invest into our lives. We are to consider their lives, how they have lived and the outcome of their impact. Once we do this we should take good notice of their faith and imitate it.

What would it look like to have a generation grow up wanting to be like Jesus instead of Mike? What if men and women of God lived out radical passionate faith in Jesus Christ for this younger generation to see and imitate? This is the challenge we face, we are either watching or being watched. What impact do you want to have? Today remember your leaders, consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Further Reading: Hebrews 11 & 13

Mountains & Valleys

“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1-2

How are you letting your mountain top and valley experiences shape your life?

It is truly amazing to be on a mountain top. To reach the peak or summit is a breathtaking experience. However, as we have all experienced life has many struggles which are going to take us right back to the valleys. The trials and testing that come at these times are when we struggle the most. How long does it take you to climb back up the side of the mountain?

The first few times we attempt to reach the peek it can be exhausting both physically and mentally. It can be a challenge to keep going, it may cause us to puff and pant just to get back to the top. If we take the time to train ourselves, our bodies become physically adapt to what we are putting them through and so the journey is a lot less exhausting. This is the same for our spiritual lives. We can find ourselves constantly in the valley fighting to get up to the mountain. This is largely in part to us trying to reach the top in our own strength. We need the power of God in our lives, to fight sin, to overcome adversity, and to live a joyful, effective life for Christ.

Instead of always running to the peek of the mountain glancing at the view and then turning around and ended up in the valley again why not seek to live life on the mountain top? At the top of the mountain you can see the beauty of life, you are ultimately closer to the creator of the outstanding view. Would you not much rather live life with your eyes fixed on that than stuck in the valley where all you can see is trees and the mundane things of life? Allow Christ to rule and reign in your life, rely on his power working in and through you and enjoy the view.

Further Reading: Psalm 23, 121

That You May Know

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13

How confident are you in your God? Is he trustworthy? Is he worthy of your affection? desire? love? We see in 1 John that he is writing “these things” that we may KNOW we have eternal life. Are you struggling with doubt? Is it hard for you to accept forgiveness? Do you think you have sinned so bad that God can’t forgive you? 1 John 1:7 says that is we walk in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin.

Many of us struggle with assurance of salvation, we constantly strive to be “good enough” for God. This is chasing after the wind because we will never be “good enough.” It is not possible, as much as we strive to be good it doesn’t change the fact that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

God deals with absolutes. When he says all he means all. Our lives should be lived in thanksgiving. When we truly realize that we don’t cut it, that we are not good enough for God, that we need help then transformation really starts to happen. This is why our need for Christ is essential, we needed his righteousness to save us. Jesus Christ came so that we may KNOW that we have eternal life in him.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

Further Reading: 1 John 1, Romans 3:9-31

Where is Your Mind Looking?

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Colossians 3:2

Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home. - C. S. Lewis

Do you ever feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde? There is this tension inside of you. Paul shows us the internal battle in Romans 7. There is this tension inside of us to make Godly choices but somehow we find ourselves making bad choices. He says it is because of the sin that dwells inside of us. This sin and our fallen flesh constantly lead us to focus on ourselves, to keep our eyes off of Jesus, and ultimately have our minds set on things of this earth.

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
- C.S. Lewis

We need a mind that is set on things above, an eternal perspective. As we read in Colossians 3 we are to put to death what is earthly in us, to put on a mind that is set on things above. Do you realize the eternal impact you can have right now? Do you know that this life is not about you? It is about a an awesome God who is redeeming people and he wants to use you! Will you pray for an eternal perspective? Will you set your mind on things above? No matter what you’ve done will keep you from being ineffective for the kingdom of God if you surrender your will to him. We need a constant realignment, a mind, heart, and soul that is focused on an eternal kingdom instead of an earthly one. Can you imagine that? What if everyone in your Church had this mind? What impact would you have? It starts with you, God wants to use you, will you look to the eternal with your mind?

Further Reading: Colossians 3, Romans 7

Listen With The Heart

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” - John 4:10

If you want to learn how to listen read the gospels. As we read about how Jesus interacted with people we constantly see him listening with his heart. Listening with the heart is to hear the hurt behind the words. Jesus not only was able to hear the heart behind the words but was able to offer water that will satisfy. The woman at the well was searching for something. She was trying to find meaning in promiscuous relationships. She was looking for hope and she found Jesus at a well.

There are millions of people in this world, just like the woman at the well who are walking around trying to fill a God-shaped whole inside of them. Their actions, desires, dreams, and words are all flowing out of the need to fill this hole. They live empty, desiring to be filled. Do you hear them? Does your heart break for these people? You cross paths with them everyday. Are you listening with your heart? What happens when you encounter these people?

Maybe the person I am describing is you. Maybe you have never drank the living water that satisfies as Jesus talks about in John 4. Will you put your faith and trust in Christ’s death and resurrection as the sacrifice for your sins? Will you surrender your heart to him and allow the healing to begin to take place?

We as followers of Christ have to learn how to listen with our heart. We need to see the hurt behind the words, actions, or body language. We possess the answer to the God-shaped hole which means we have the privilege and responsibility to share with others.

Further Reading: John 4:1-45

The BOSS

“...Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’...” - Isaiah 45:9

Do you know that boss? The one who lets you know he or she is the boss all the time. They make sure you know what your position is, they are the boss and you are to submit to them. Doesn’t that person drive you crazy? They can be very frustrating to work for but there is still one truth, they ARE the boss. As much as it frustrates you, as much as you may not like it they have position and authority over you.

Often times we forget that God is the ultimate boss. The LORD is a jealous God, he is God alone and there is no other like him. Since God is the boss he holds position and authority over his. In fact, he created us. In Isaiah chapter 45 he warns us against challenging God’s right to do his will in his own way. In our lives there are times when we just don’t like the way God does things. We start to get frustrated with our boss and challenge his motives, character, and authority. Think about that for a second, do you see sin working in our sinful flesh. Who are we to even think of challenging the author of life? What gives us the right to even start to question the motives or character of God? We see in this chapter that as the created it is a serious offense to demand explanations from God. There are times to cry out to God and to lament before him but we have to been very careful to cross the line of questioning the character and nature of God that leads us embittered with God.

Have you ever been frustrated or upset in the midst of a situation and after you got through the storm it all made sense and the frustration was gone? As the created we can’t see with the same eyes the Creator can. No one knows us better than the one who created us, who knit us together in our mother’s womb. My prayer today is that no matter what you are going through you will not challenge God but embrace him. Know that as the Creator he knows what is best for the created. He cares about you and loves you in ways we can’t even fathom.

“Turn to me and be saved all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” - Isaiah 45:22

Further Reading: Isaiah 44 & 45

Lessons From Climbing a Mountain

Last year I was blessed to go on a mission’s trip to Alaska. While I was there I was able to hike up a mountain. As I reflected on this experience there were three lessons that I felt transferred over to our spiritual life.

-The climb is hard but always worth it
-Be careful coming down the mountain, it is easy to get lost
-Don’t chase after rabbits

Let me explain these to you. First of all we need to understand and grasp spiritual perseverance. Living the Christian life, just like climbing that mountain is really hard. There are many obstacles in the way. The biggest obstacle climbing the mountain was gravity. As a passionate follower of Jesus Christ you are going against gravity so to speak. It is totally against the cultural and worldly norm. To be passionate for Christ, to stand on the truth of Scripture will cost you and will be difficult. However, just like getting to the top of the mountain and seeing God’s beautiful creation one day we will be in the glorious presence of our beautiful God. That my friends, is worth it!

If you have been following Christ for some time now you have probably experienced “mountain top” experiences with Jesus. The general observation is that right after the “mountain top” experience comes a desert experience. We must be careful coming down the mountain, it is very easy to get comfortable and lose our way. As I came down the mountain I jumped from rock to rock and if I would have lost focus for one second I would have been in trouble. We must stay focused on Christ in our lives, it is essential to our growth, our effectiveness, and our relationships that Jesus is the center.

The last lesson that I learned was not to chase after rabbits. We took a dog with us and coming down the mountain the dog decided to chase after a rabbit. She got lost and we had to leave without her. The dog was lost all night on that mountain until we drove back the next day and found her. The lust of the eyes can quickly distract us and take away our eternal focus. Don’t we know this to be true? How often does sin seem so good at the time and afterwards you realize how far away it has pulled you from God. It brings on feelings of guilt and shame, it makes us want to isolate ourselves and hide. It is a formula that drives us to stay in our sin instead of restoring our fellowship with God knowing that we are forgiven and that he is with us through it all.

I want to encourage you today to persevere, make sure Christ is the center, and keep your focus on the eternal.

Further Reading: Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36

God Has No Problems, Only Plans

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." — Corrie ten Boom

Do you ever look at your life and ask the question, “How in the world did I end up here?” Or maybe you are at the point in life and are saying, “God what in the world do you want me to do and where do you want me to go?” Often times when we look back on life we see the hand of God guiding and directing us to where we are now. God puts people in our lives for a reason and uses our circumstances to accomplish his purpose.

In 1 Samuel chapter 9 we see a man named Saul who one day goes out to look for his father’s lost donkeys. After searching far and wide they do not find the donkeys. As they were about to depart for home Saul’s servant suggests talking to the man of God in the town which was Samuel. God put Saul and Samuel in the right place at the right time. God is always at work changing lives and working out his plan for his glory. Are you at a crossroad in life? Are you wondering why you are in the situation you are in or why you “just happened” to cross paths with certain people? There is no "just happened" in God’s economy, there is only a sovereign plan by an Almighty God who is in control.

Many times God uses the simple to do the extraordinary. Everything does happen for a reason. Today allow God to guide you, direct you, and lead you. Pray to your Creator, give him your cares, worries, doubts, and allow the peace that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind. When you surrender the steering wheel of your life to God that is when the real journey begins. Enjoy the ride.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 9-11, Romans 8:28-29

The Significance of Insignificance

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3

Have you ever felt insignificant? The interesting thing about insignificance is that there is always a comparison. As human beings we have an innate nature to compare ourselves constantly to everyone and everything. For example, the majesty of nature many times can make us seem insignificant, or sometimes when we have negative self images we compare ourselves to others and the feelings of insignificance come. I don’t want to say it is wrong to feel this, I actually believe it is quite a good feeling when it is compared to the right person, and that person is Jesus Christ. The significance of insignificance is what we see in Biblical humility.

In the passage we see in Philippians 2:3 the word humility can be defined as an inside-out virtue produced by comparing ourselves to the Lord rather than others. This word humility also implies living on total dependence on the Lord with no reliance on self. A few verses later we see that Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Jesus came down to our level and lived a life of total dependence on his Father. In a culture that constantly bombards us with entitlement, the idea that we deserve to be served we often forget to count others more significant than ourselves.

A good friend of mine once told me, “Don’t take yourself too seriously.” We often times take ourselves way too seriously. We think God needs us, we don’t compare ourselves with an Almighty, Holy, Loving, Gracious, Merciful, Sacrificing, God. When we allow our minds to be transformed and our perspective to shift we then begin to understand the significance of insignificance. What or who are you comparing yourself to? The only standard of measure we have is Jesus Christ and we all fall short of the glory of God. Thanks be to God for the humility of Christ Jesus to be the sacrificial atonement for our sins that we may have the righteousness of Christ applied to our account. I pray that today we would walk in humility and count others more significant than yourself.

“The fear of the LORD is instruction and wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” - Proverbs 15:33

Further Reading: Philippians 2, Acts 20:17-38

Return to the Lord

“...If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only...”
- 1 Samuel 7:3

To return is the act of repentance. Many of us have a misunderstanding of what true Biblical repentance is. There are two sides to it, first there is the emotional response, a feeling of regret or sorrow. This is not an overwhelming sense of guilt or shame which can lead us away from God but a sorrow that draws us closer to God. The second part of repentance has to do with changing one’s mind about sin. A repentant person will still sin at times but instead of reveling in that sin, one who is truly repentant will confess that sin and direct their heart to the LORD. It is very important to understand that when turn from sin you must turn toward God.

Israel had not heard anything from Samuel for 20 years and the first thing out of his mouth is call them to repentance. Their idolatry has led them away from God and Samuel gives them 3 commands:

1.) To turn away from idolatry
2.) To direct their heart to the LORD
3.) To serve him alone

What idols have crept into your life that you need to turn away from? What sin is gripping you with guilt or shame? Repentance is an amazing gift from God. Even though we mess up the grace of God is bigger than our sin. Take some time today to talk with God. Turn, Direct, & Serve. Confess your sin to God and ask him to change your mind about sin and to direct your heart wholly to him.

“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 7, 2 Corinthians 7, Romans 2:4

The Battle is God's

“...Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” - 2 Chronicles 20:15b

Who is fighting your battles?

Battles seem to be a constant part of life, don’t they? It seems just when we get through the storm and have a glimpse of calm the clouds come rolling in again. This life is not easy, Peter urges us in 1 Peter 2:11 to “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” There is a spiritual war going on that we cannot see with our eyes but it is very real. Many of the battles we are fighting are much deeper and more unseen than we realize. The enemy is real, he hates that Jesus is saving people, and wants to steal, kill, and destroy. One of his greatest tactics is to make us try to fight the battles in our own strength.

As a child of God, a new creation, bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ you have ammo. In fact you have the creator of the ammo. You even have the God who holds the universe in his hands on your side. In fact, your father is that God who holds the universe in his hand. He created, he is the beginning and the end and if you need reassurance of that read Revelation 21.

Jehoshaphat found himself faced with opposition, an intense battle that seemed to have no hope was coming his way. He sought the LORD and chose to exercise faith. He didn’t try to fight the battle in his own strength but trusted wholly on the LORD. He understood that his God, our God is greater than the battles we face. He understood what total dependence on God was and he went to battle with his faith and the land of Judah’s faith fully in the LORD his God.

Today I want to encourage you to know and hold your position in Christ.

“...Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:17b

Further Reading: 2 Chronicles 19 & 20