Feel Loved?

As I sit here eating breakfast with nothing more than my phone as an input and Editting device, I will try to reflect my thoughts into this entry.

Do you feel loved today?  Maybe you had a disagreement with your coworkers, or your wife, or your parents and you feel isolated.  Maybe something tramatic and sorrowful has happened to you.  No matter the reason, there is never a time that exists when you should not feel and more importantly, know that you are deeply loved.

If we allow ourselves to ever believe or allow our feelings to tell us we are not loved we are contradicting the Creator of the universe and the source of all life.  Who are we to do such a thing?  And why would we do that to ourselves?  Life is so much more filling and complete when we are living with a heart full of love.  We are who we were designed to be when we live with a heart over flowing with love.

Accept God today and His eternal promise of loving you forever and ever and that nothing exist or will ever exist that is capable of removing His love from you.

Apr 29

Matthew 22: ³⁵ And one of their number, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. ³⁶ Teacher, which ^[a]kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light—which are heavy?] ³⁷ And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). ³⁸ This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. (AMP)

 

Decisions.   By far the most important decision you will ever make and will continue to make with every breath you take is: do you choose to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?  This is not a "have you" as in something you might have done once in your distant past or a "will you" as in something you might do later.  No, this is a DO YOU as of right now, this moment, this circumstance, this event, DO YOU choose to love God with all you?  Some might say, "this is too hard."  Jesus said "For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." (Matt 11:30).  Others might say I've already checked that square, but Jesus said "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." (Matt 7:21). 

So, DO YOU?  Do you choose to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?  How do you know?  Again, Jesus said "If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. (John 14:15 & repeated in 21, 23, & 24 so it must be important!).  Later, Paul was inspired to state "

²² But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, ²³ Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [^[f]that can bring a charge]. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires."  (Gal 5). 

So this is how you know:  If you love God, you will obey his commands.  Not out of fear (although it is a useful motivational tool and we are in fact commanded to fear God - out of over 300 references to fearing God, start with Ryan's favorite: Pro 9:10), but out of an uncontrollable urge to please God.  Once, I thought I could "straddle the fence" and live as I knew I should and deeply desired to except when around my school "friends" and then I could behave differently to impress them.  Those relationships didn't last long and certainly didn't encourage my growth in Christ.  I learned that Jesus meant what he said “Whoever is not with me is against me" (Matt 12:30) and the guilt I bore outstripped whatever benefits I got out of trying to live to impress others.  

Where are you in your decision regarding Christ?  Have you accepted Him as your Savior?  If so, AWESOME?  Now, is He LORD?  Does He control your life or is He at the other end of the 9-1-1 prayer line where you turn when everything else you try fails?  Here's how I know:  Priorities are those things that you spend your resources on - your time, money, and thoughts.  Does your love for God guide every expenditure of your resources?  Do you live a life in context with your relationship with God or is He someone you take out of the "box" on Sundays and Wednesdays for a little "pick-me-up?"  

This is an important decision to get right.  I maintain that failure to get this one correct makes all your other decisions irrelevant.  What do you think? 

Your Bro is Back!

"‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’   The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him."  - Luke 15:27-28

The Prodigal Son parable.  Most of us know it well and those who have been to Emmaus know it real well.  This is one of those rare stories that we can relate to at least one of the characters all the time.  And even relate to different ones at different times, although I truly hope I never have to directly relate to the father watching his son go off in a wrong direction carrying a feeling of unconcern for me as though I am already dead.  Heartbreaking.

Why did the father have a celebration?  Because his son "has come ... he has him back safe and sound".  What joy Jesus tells us the Father has when a lost child comes to believe in Him!  As someone with only a limited view of love by comparison to our Father in heaven I find it hard to grasp the amount and extent of that love.  God forgives fully and pours His love upon us when we come to Him.  He does not withhold Himself from us.  When we love properly, we find that all we want is to be closer to the ones we love.  We make ways to celebrate time and opportunity together.  We want to "pour" ourselves into the other person at every opportunity.  The father rejoiced greatly for he had new opportunities to love his son whom he believed was gone forever.  He was not dead to his son!

Yet the older brother was angry because he had obeyed.  There is much that can be said here regarding this older brother.  Looking at it from a ministry point-of-view, do we ever see hard-working Christians in the church who give so much of themselves to the ministry operations of the church but get agitated when someone new comes in and is celebrated?  Of course we do.  They feel like their service, their obedience, is not appreciated.  In this case their heart of purpose has to be questioned.  Are they working for their Father, or for themselves?

Similarly, when a person who commits a "bad" sin (as Reed would say) confesses and repents and starts back to the work of their Father, do we see people look upon them as unworthy and get angry because they haven't sinned but have been obedient?  Of course we do.  They feel as though they have sacrificed while another has not and they want their reward or the punishment of the sinner.  Again the purpose of the heart has to be questioned.  This is where the older brother is living in this parable.  To him, the brother was dead, but now that he was back he was a nuisance.  And his being back questioned the older brother's purpose.  Why was he obedient to his father?  What was his reward? 

We must know that being obedient to the Father is the reward because it pleases the Father (I know that is a big statement coming from a sinner like me).  That is how God knows we love Him.

Apr 28

Proverbs 3: ⁵ Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶ In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (AMP)

 

Decisions:  A choice among options.  Over the next 10 years or so, high school students will make or will already have made the top 10 decisions in life.  First and foremost, they will have decided what to do with Christ.  Statistics show that if people haven't accepted Christ by the time they graduate from college, they have an incredibly low probability of doing so later in life.  Worse, many who think they have accepted Christ merely believe He existed or may have accepted Him as savior, but refuse to let Him be Lord of their lives.  These verses from the Old Testament remind us of the importance of ensuring He is guiding us through all of life's many decisions.

Whether to marry, whom to marry, major purchases such as our first car, first house, what college to attend, what to major in, our first job, where to live, and our closest friends round out our list of our top ten decisions.  I find it incredibly interesting that so many of us spend so many hours at church, but when it comes to these decisions we rarely consult God.  We seem to turn to God for things we know we can't control such as health and bereavement over death, but we live defeated lives because we refuse to make God Lord over the biggest decisions in life. 

How about you?  Have you prayed over your future spouse even though you don't know them yet?  Are you honoring him/her now with your actions?  Are you praying about whether to attend college and if so, what to major in and where to get that degree?  Why not?  God is the only one who knows the future.  You and your parents may make good decisions, but only God knows best. 

 

I'm deeply troubled today by Kathryn Lorenz' FB status update.  She has openly posted that she is in a relationship with a HS junior in Valdosta, GA.  Sadly, the HS student is a young lady.  As we've discussed, there is a difference between trying to live a Godly life wherein we are guilty of "messing up" or slipping into sin and those who willfully choose to live a sinful lifestyle and refuse to acknowledge the fact.  Whether intentional or unintentional, there seems to me to be a fundamental difference between trying and failing and thumbing our nose at a high and holy God.  I certainly had my prodigal moments in HS and early college (and probably still do today!!) and I praise God that he saw enough value in me to save me from my poor decisions.  I carry a huge burden for a whole world that seems to simply be ignorant about the need and benefits of not just accepting Christ as savior, but truly letting Him guide our steps.  I thank you and admire you for fighting for your wife, family, and faith.  I hate that it took such a large failure to get your attention, but perhaps the prodigal experience is universal.  I know you'll join me in prayer for the Lorenz family and especially for Kathryn as she undergoes her own prodigal experience.  She has bought into a lie by Satan and is feasting on rotten fruit.   I pray that our Lord for whom nothing is impossible will reach out to her in a way that gets her attention before she suffers permanently.   I pray that she doesn't fall away.

A Friend

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

How great it is to have a friend.  Someone who is there.  The best friend is the one who doesn't always agree with us and is willing to call to us when we are going in the wrong direction.  Unfortunately, most people consider that person a non-friend as they view such support as judgment or non-support.  I know people who claim the verse from Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  Yet when you confront them about something in their life that is wrong and they disagree with you they then stop communicating with you.  I think that people, in general, want a friend to agree with them and not to hold them accountable for their actions or behavior as it relates to God.  But what kind of fair-weather friend is that?  How does that build up or make sharper?

When I read these verses I immediately think of my wife (especially the keeping warm part) and I would hope that every spouse would also think first of theirs.  Together we have a better return for our work.  Together we can pick one another up when we are down.  Together we can stay warmer.  And together we can defend ourselves.  Marriage is a together work, not a one working with another one working and they just happen to live together.  These verses describe the benefits of being together.

Again, how great it is to have a friend.  Someone you know you can call anytime with a real need and never have to worry about them providing the support to pull you out of the need.  You know and do not doubt that they will be there for you, even if you haven't seen or talked to them in a while.  You trust them.  But how many of us Christians do not have that same regard for the living Christ?  Jesus said that He is closer than a brother.  Jesus called us friends.  Do we know and have confidence in Him?  Do we know that with Him we will have the best return for our labor?  Do we know that He will always pick us up when we fall?  Do we not know that He will always dwell in our heart and keep our spirit warm?  Do we not trust that He will defend us?  Walk with your Master today and let Him walk with you.  How great it is to have Him as a friend!

Apr 25

Ecclesiastes 4: ⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? (NIV)

I noticed many years ago that I work much better & faster when I have help.  When I work alone, my mind wanders and I have little reason to bring it back into focus.  So, I work at an overall slow pace with short bursts of productivity separated by lulls in activity as I daydream.  When I have help however, I want to make maximum use of my counterparts time and therefore stay focused.  In reality its a synergistic effect wherein one plus one is more than two. 
My walk with Christ is no different.  When around other Christians and I'm expected to behave as one, I pay attention to my walk: actions, words, deeds, attitudes, and Christian disciplines of prayer, study, worship, etc.  When separate from other Christians, my true character and moral compass come into view.  It is at these times, when I don't have immediate and obvious accountability from others that my true nature can come out and be exposed. 
This exposes my need for an accountability partner.  Besides the obvious advantage of having someone who daily lifts me up in prayer and is always there to support in times of any kind of trial or simply celebrate in times of joy, I need someone who helps me grow.  Someone who expects to see these posts daily and "bugs" me when he sees my walk slipping.  I was blessed as a child growing up to have parents that filled this role (and my Mom still does so well!).  Later, God has placed a very key individual in my life who has continued to challenge me to grow. 
I've learned, however, that good, true accountability needs to go much deeper.  I need to be willing to expose my vulnerabilities - those areas where I know I'm susceptible to temptation and where my partner needs to both pray and probe to ensure I'm not falling into sin.  This has proven difficult in my life.  I've been willing to have accountability partners that hold me accountable for Christian discipline, but I've not been as willing to blatantly expose my known vulnerabilities.  First, I don't want to admit them, but second I think I secretly want to hold onto them as if they were some sort of source of temporary fulfillment. 
I know deep in my heart that Christ is challenging me to overcome several issues with which I struggle.  I pray about them, turn them over to Him, but then at weak moments pick them back up.  Accountability is only as good as the honesty put into it.  When I'm unwilling to be honest with my accountability partner, he cannot know how to pray, support, or probe.  In the end, I'm the loser.  I'm the one remaining shackled in sin, and its my fault. 
How about you?  How is your walk when away from Church or Youth Group?  Is Christ your source of fulfillment and contentment or do you seek worldly satisfaction?  Do you have an effective accountability partner?  If so, are you willing to be transparent and honest about those things that trouble you the most or are you content to simply be superficial?  Superficial accountability has cost me and my closest friends dearly.  Don't waste your time!  Go deep or go home!

Serve As Unto the Lord

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. - Ephesians 6:5-9

The term "slave" is such a terrible term in today's world.  Yet Paul calls himself a "slave [bondservant] to Jesus Christ" in Philippians.  Being a slave to anyone or anything other than Jesus is a terrible thing, yet we all are even if we don't admit to it.  However, in these verses the term is used and since we are not very familiar with the concept in our society in its real form except through history books, praise be to God, our best ability to relate to it is to relate this to our work.  That is, the work we choose to do in what we are able to do and that we hopefully enjoy doing.  All of which is very unrelated to a "slave".

Even so, in our "work" we are to serve with pure hearts doing our very best for the betterment of the place where we work.  We do not do this for the people there but for the God the lives within us.  By serving Him with our best work we serve others.  This concept is so hard to teach except by example.  For some people I just feel cause to wonder if they are even able to grasp it.  Yesterday I had a conversation on this very topic discussing how hard it is to find people who will willingly work hard from their own desires to do so.  Yet, I find myself lacking in this area at times.  I have worked very hard for many years and there are times when I feel it is someone else's turn.  But as I look at these verses I do not see an exception clause for previous services rendered. 

We do not "work as unto the Lord" for extra rewards for ourselves from our extra work but because we know that the Lord will reward each person for how they have worked diligently as unto Him.  Too often, we are willing to do that extra bit of service but only if we are getting compensated for it.  This is a worldly view and too often it carries into all of our relationships.  We forget the abounding grace and mercy we have received and put ourselves in a position of only showing grace and mercy to the other person IF we are going to get something.  And if we don't then we are mad about it.  We did that extra thing and they didn't notice or they don't care so we're never doing that again.  ...  Really?  Did you just do that Mr/Mrs Baby Christian?  ...  "Work as unto the Lord" KNOWING He "will reward each one".  I imagine that His reward is substantially more suited for you and beyond your expectations than anything any person could provide.

And once we've been a worker for many years we find that we are then the masters, or managers, bosses, supervisors, etc.  The word here is that as such we are to treat those we are in charge of "the same way."  That is, reward each one for the good that they do, and work for them as if you were serving the Lord.  The Scripture goes further with masters as it specifically instructs to not threaten them.  Do not rule with an iron fist looking to crush whomever you can.  Do not create circumstances where the workers feel as though they might lose their job at any instance.  This is a commonplace threat method in today's world.  Look at the workers as your greatest resource and do your best to make them the most productive people they can become and in so doing you are serving them, but really you are serving the Lord.

Apr 23

Ephesians 6: ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (NIV)

These passages in Ephesians are some of my favorite in all of scripture.  Chapter 5 tells us to be imitators of God and to avoid sexual immorality and all other kinds of sin.  It also defines how spouses are to treat each other: husbands are to love their wives like Christ loves the church and wives are to submit to their husbands.  There must be hundreds of books written about this chapter alone as people grapple with just exactly what this means and how to do it. 
Often we overly complicate rather simple things in scripture and miss the true message.  Truly learning how to agape, phileo, and eros my wife is a life-long task that I am a very long way from mastering.  Submitting in every sense of the word is an anathema (look it up!) to almost every wife I've ever met, yet scripture isn't vague here.  It is clear that husbands are to love and wives are to submit.  The thing I like most about this section of scripture isn't that I find it easy, but that scripture gives me the how.  In order for me to love Reja like Christ loves the church, I must put on the full armor of God daily. 
I confess that I've been lazy for most of my life about the command to daily put on the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the "shoes" of gospel message that provides us with readiness (for what?), the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation (daily! - another interesting command to contemplate...), and finally our only offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit - scripture.  It goes on to urge us to pray daily.  So why does scripture go from commanding the impossible (love and submission) to arming us for battle?  Because at least for this 1 person out of about 6 billion currently living, I struggle.  I battle.  I'm at war with my sin nature and when I don't take time each day to arm myself, I fail miserably.  When I fail, Satan wins.  He takes over my witness, my relationships, my service, and my kingdom effectiveness. 
So, this is why I write these every day.  I don't do this because I know you need it.  You do, but that's not my primary reason for writing.  I write these because for years I've been lazy about DAILY putting on my armor.  Therefore my relationship with my wife isn't what it should be and its my fault.  My relationships with others aren't what they should be and its my fault.  My witness to and about Christ isn't what it should be and its my fault.  My, well you get the picture.  Scripture doesn't give us the opportunity to blame others for our sins.  They are our fault.  Yet scripture does provide us with the key to overcoming sin.  It begins with suiting up for battle, but doesn't end there.  Once suited for battle we are to be in constant prayer.  
How is your battle going?  Have you suited up today or are you accepting less than what God intended for you by being lazy?  Carpe Diem!  Seize today not with your own skills and talents, but with the full armor of God.  THEN we are prepared to SERVE wholeheartedly.   

Time, Time, Time

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.   And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

It seems that the congregation there at Thessalonica had some questions about those that had died before them.  Paul writes this to assure them that the grave is not the end for the Christian and he proceeds to prophesy about how Jesus will return.  His main point, which we should always take great care to acknowledge and remember, is that we will all be with Jesus together one day.  The dead are not left to the grave and we are not left in this life.  All of us are with Him.

"Time, time, time, see what becomes of me" sings The Bangles in the late 80's tune Hazy Shade of Winter (although someone old like Russ will say that Simon and Garfunkel sang it).  Time is really confusing for most people although it is apparently very simple and steady in how we exist in it physically.  I don't think about it much but I do get lost in it occasionally (they just keep coming!).  None of this has anything to do with these verses except there is an element of time in it.  The description purposely  indicates that the dead will rise first and then those alive will rise and all will be together "to meet the Lord".

I comprehend this as follows.  Time is irrelevant to God.  He is in the past, present, and future at the same time.  We see life one day, minute, and second at "a time".  Each moment is separate.  God is in all moments at the "same time".  (It's kind of like the old slide show projectors, we see a slide at a time while God sees all the slides all at once.)  If we grasp that then we can understand that to God all people die at the same time.  And so "that to [Jesus] every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess" (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11) and give account of ourselves to God at the same "time".   If you dwell on this concept it can be confounding, but at the same "time" if you consider it in light of many of the promises of God it makes a lot of sense.  God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5).  He goes before us (Isaiah 45:2).  He is with us (Matthew 28:20).  (Past, future, present)

We can get confused and bent on how to comprehend time, but it really doesn't matter much in light of these words.  "And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage one another with these words."  In fact, does any topic really matter much by comparison?  What a glorious thing to comprehend!  We ... Will ... Be ... With ... The ... LORD ... Forever!  Not maybe, not could be, not might be, not wannabe, but WILL BE.  Praise God that He took mercy on me!  (Be encouraged :) !)

Apr 22

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

I'm always amazed at how my mood tracks with the weather.  Easter weekend was cloudy, windy, and gloomy and so was I.  I had no reason to be so, except the weather just made me feel that way for some reason.  In fact, I had every reason to feel differently.  Kerianne was home and the church services leading up to Easter were superb.  Yet, I was in a gloomy mood all weekend.  I really didn't realize how gloomy until the drive to work on Monday.  The cloudless sky, moderate temperature, and light wind combined to make a perfect weather day and I arrive at work feeling energized and optimistic. 

Often I see Christians lead gloomy lives.  It seems that rather than focusing on the ultimate victory in Jesus, we get overwhelmed by the clouds of this day, the uncertainty of our future here on earth, or the issues we can't control.  Often our focus is on us and our problems rather than Christ and His victory.  We are discouraged and lead discouraging lives.  We bring others down with us into our cesspool of self pity and depression. 

I challenge you today to focus on Christ, not on today's issues or circumstances.  Don't let today's issues drive your response.  Be kingdom minded.  Focus on the victory Christ has already won.  Be encouraged and be an encourager.  Not because of what you've done in the world, but because of what He has done in you! 

He Sends Us

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. - Mark 16:19-20

God sent His Son and so His Son sends us.  We are the carriers of His grace and His mercy.  We demonstrate His love.  If not us, how will the world know?  I find that I have been much too quiet (although that is my nature) about the truths of God.  Worse still, I have been much too flippant with the knowledge of God.  This wisdom is "pearls" of truth (Matt 7:6)!  Not marbles to be played! 

Can there be a more defined purpose than to believe with your whole heart and soul in the living presence of God?  Then to simply live completely in that believe?  Then to tell others about how you live in that belief?  ...  It is the first two sentences that cause most everyone to stumble.  They might want to believe but can't quite get there or they might actually believe but can't live it.  How can someone who doesn't know tell others?  How can someone who can't live it tell others without being a hypocrite?  ...  An overflowing love will spill onto everyone around you.  When you are so very grateful for God's grace and mercy, for your very life, you will give it everywhere you can.

The stone that was rolled away at Jesus' tomb was not rolled away by the angel who sat upon it so Jesus could get out.  It was rolled away so that we could enter into His resurrection.  His resurrection is God's grace and mercy applied to us because of who He is as Love.  Close your eyes and enter into the tomb and see the linens there with no body, see a resurrected Christ.  Enter into the tomb and be willing to die to all that you are, hold nothing dear, be willing to go to heaven right now.  Is there even a spot of unbelief?  Does anything hold you back?  We cannot hold onto this world and have a belief with our whole heart.  And if we don't believe with our whole heart, how can we tell others?

Apr 21

Mark 16: ¹⁹ So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it). (AMP)

 

As I re-read the message of Easter this year, I was struck by how many opportunities there might have been to save Jesus from the cross.  If Pontius Pilate had just listened to and acted on his own internal voice of reason or even his wife's encouragement, He might have been saved from a terrible death.  Yet He came to die.  It was God's plan all along.  Jesus couldn't finish His work on Earth without experiencing a cruel death.  After all, the sins of the entire world were placed upon him, those sins must die or we have no hope of a relationship with God.  Jesus knew this all along and had been dropping hints to His disciples for quite some time.  The good news is that in dying, he crushed sin.  In rising he demonstrated his command over life giving us hope.  I maintain without rising, there is no hope at all in the world.  There is no hope for a good fishing season, no hope for a good hair day, no hope that I have on two matching socks.  There is simply no hope at all without the resurrection. 

Finally, our hope is made complete in the ascension.  Jesus made it plain to the disciples that He had to leave (John 16:7).  Without his departure, they couldn't have someone better: the Holy Spirit.  Why is God's Holy Spirit better than Jesus?  First, recall that God is triune and they are all the same, but the benefits to us are different.  Jesus lived with and ministered to the disciples.  As long as he was around, he could point them in the right direction.  When God sent His spirit, it indwelled the apostles.  They never lived another second of their life apart from God! 

We have an almost morbid fascination with life in this world.  Jesus had the advantage of knowing that life didn't end in physical death, but that in the end, He would be in Heaven seated at the right hand of God.  We have an opportunity to share in His victory.  All we must do is accept his offer of grace.  Our acceptance, however, comes with a price - we must surrender our attachment to everything we know to be true and latch on to the hope of what faith tells us to be true.  Life is not all about living to the fullest we can imagine in this world.  It is about living in His will such that we live life in eternity to the fullest He can imagine.  Given the choice between life as good as I can make it, and eternal life as good as God can make it, I pick God! 

Unequally Yoked

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.  How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?  How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?  And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  - 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

This concept can be difficult to discern where the line is regarding interaction with unbelievers.  I think this is a very clear direction regarding marriage.  Don't team with, be a partner with, or live with an unbeliever.  Pretty much impossible to be married and not be one of those.  The NKJV says "do not be unequally yoked" and asks "what fellowship" or "what communion" does right have with wrong or light have with darkness.  How can you be married and not be pulling the same weight together or have no fellowship or communion? 

I don't want to chase a rabbit here at Easter time, but where in your marriage are you "unequally yoked"?  In what areas do you lack fellowship or communion?  Can you look at these areas and determine why?  Is there a difference of right and wrong per the Biblical standard or of light and darkness?  Since there shouldn't be such an area among two married believers, this is an important introspective look that needs to be discussed.

The trouble with a partnership with an unbeliever is the foundation or root of the goals, purpose, and methodology simply will and can never be the same.  I remember having difficulty with this concept when teaming with an unbeliever "friend" to coach football.  I ultimately did it and viewed it as ministry outreach since it was temporary and non-threatening to our beliefs.  However, even in the simplicity of that there were moments when we disagreed over things that he simply didn't "see".  For example, he brought music out to play before games to try to charge the kids up.  The first time he brought it I was in game prep mode and wasn't paying much attention to it until I caught a bad word from a song.  Then I started listening and realized he had inappropriate songs for 11-12 year olds to be listening.  I had to tell him to stop bringing music or to change the songs and he obliged and changed the songs.  But he could have just as easily created a big conflict over it by refusing to since he didn't know why it was a problem.  What could I have done then but stop coaching and remove my son from the team?  Very awkward position to be in caused only because a believer was teamed with an unbeliever.

An unbeliever simply doesn't have the knowledge to know something might be inappropriate or they purposely don't care if it is inappropriate.  How can a believer be teamed with that IF the believer is truly following Christ?  That "if" is a crucial one.  I think too many an unbeliever is around too many Christians who aren't following Christ so they don't see a difference, especially when the Christian won't stand up for what the unbeliever even knows is sketchy.  I'm not sure there is a more damaging thing to the gospel of Christ than a lukewarm, not fully believing Christian or a Christian who refuses to address sins but accepts them rather than cause a conflict with another person.  If you are a Christian, you already cause conflict with other people.  The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can be useful.

Ultimately, I think this is the larger problem with every occurrence of a believer being teamed or partnering with an unbeliever.  By this, I mean the believer who isn't purposefully following Christ actively.  This is also an area where we should hold one another accountable.  When we see in a friend where there is an idol or something that doesn't show Christ we should approach him and ask about it.  There should not exist both light and dark inside of us or we are not a team inside of ourselves.  It is important to be accountable to one another and to be willing to confront someone and be willing to be confronted regarding our heart and its commitment to following Jesus.

Apr 17

Hebrews 4: ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

As I look forward to celebrating Easter, I'm mindful that the most important work Christ did was to take my sin upon himself and in dying provided me an opportunity to boldly approach God.  Prior to His work on the cross, no one could approach God.  Sure, God approached Moses on Mount Sinai, but to my knowledge, not since Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden had man been able to approach God.  To me, this is a big deal.  Recall that this freedom was symbolized when curtain separating the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn immediately upon Christ's death providing clear evidence that God accepted this as adequate atonement for the sins of mankind.  

How awesome is it that we serve a God who became flesh like us, lived with us, suffered the same frustrations, disappointments, denial, and temptations that we face and yet in spite of his perfection took our sins upon Himself then crushed them with His own sacrifice.   We do our ourselves and Him a great disservice when we fail to take advantage of the access He has provided.  Rather than seek Him first, we often seek Him last, throwing up what I like to call that 9-1-1 prayer that starts out with "Oh God!"  Perhaps we don't want to bother a "busy" God, or we don't think He needs to concern Himself with our little issues.  I strongly believe, however, that God wants to prove His faithfulness to us to increase our faith in Him through these little things so that when the big storms of life come, We can remain faithful and avoid sin, further complicating the situation.  By abiding in Him constantly, our life becomes a testimony not of our own accomplishments, but of what God does through His faithful, thus bringing Him glory and increasing His kingdom. 

As you approach Easter, are you availing yourself to God daily?  How about constantly?  Are you sitting at the throne of God or are you worshipping at another alter?  God is always available to us.  This in and of itself is miraculous.  There is nothing we can do on our own to approach a Holy God.  Yet through His own sacrifice, He has provided a way to do so, not annually as in days of old, but all the time.  May we not just be intellectually aware of this, but take advantage of it and live in His presence.

Persecution

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 3:12-15

I, being a Christian attempting to live a godly life, will be persecuted.  It doesn't say might be or could be, it says will be.  Why then am I appalled when I see the news where there is another societal event where a Christian is persecuted while another religion is not?  Why am I befuddled when I read where an obvious wrong belief system that will lead to hurting others and manipulation is encouraged while the Christian belief system is condemned?  This Scripture plainly says we will be persecuted.

Do I really understand what that means?  Someone will dislike me or even hate me and actively do something to cause disruption, pain, oppression, or confusion directly towards me.  Not because I'm a man or a woman; not because I'm white, black, yellow, or red; not because I live in the South or anywhere else; not because I'm American or any other nationality; but only because I am trying to live "a godly life in Christ Jesus".  (My experience is that this persecution will not come from some obvious person whom you know hates you or is opposed to you.  It will come from someone who will fool you into thinking they are a good person and are your friend.)

It also says the evildoers will get worse.  So, no matter how appalled or befuddled I am now I need to prepare for even more than I want to envision.  But, I am to be encouraged and to continue in what I have learned and believe.  This is absolutely the critical statement in this text.  Do not be overcome by the evil that persecutes you and its worsening.  "Continue in what you have learned".  Do not stop.  Know that what you believe in is real and will not fade.  Know that the evil is temporary and does not lead to life.  Though the whole world opposed Jesus, He followed His Father and fulfilled His will.

As a Christian having chosen to believe through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you are wise.  Believing in Christ is wisdom.  Trust it.  Know that your belief is real and all that the evildoers say and do to change your mind, cause doubt, or to persecute you will not change your choice.  Even when you are pushed to the end of yourself and you cannot see a single logical reason to choose or not choose Jesus Christ, choose to believe knowing that this is life and apart from Him there is nothing.  We do not love Jesus so we will have a better life.  We love Jesus because He first loved us.  We love Him because He is.

Apr 16

2 Timothy 3:¹⁴ But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], (AMP)

 

Often I feel like the whole world is against me.  I can't seem to do anything but argue with Reja.  I can't carry on a conversation about school and work with my kids.  Things at work are hectic, I can't get everything done, and no one seems happy with me at all.  Now is one of those times.  I guess I'm getting older and perhaps disappointing people on a more frequent basis as I can begin to recall similar occasions in the not-to-distant past.  In addition to the physical and emotional exhaustion that accompanied these times, I also recall the emergence from some of them.  Often it came with words of encouragement from the very people I thought were the most disappointed.  Often these words were thanks for what had been done, yet I saw so much more that wasn't getting done. 

Perhaps others don't see those things that aren't getting done and instead are simply appreciative of what was done, I'm really not sure.  What I do know is that I am my harshest critic.  I set expectations that are sometimes unreasonable and aren't being set by others for me.  I also tend to receive assignments and immediately begin to feel like I've got to do it myself, forgetting that I've got hundreds of coworkers at least some of whom need to be actively engaged in this tasking.  I've finally learned that failure to get them involved sends a much more negative message than "overloading" them (many of them complain regardless!).  So, with many, I've got to pick my poison and choose to consciously get them involved in spite of the fact I know that they will complain and/or give me products that aren't what I would produce or aren't done the way I would do it.  I'm finding this "letting go" difficult, but necessary in my relationship with my kids, especially Ryan, with my coworkers, and with the people in my church.  The worse option I've finally learned is to do things myself and deny others their "blessing" of learning, contributing, and feeling valued.  By doing it myself, I'm not properly loving others. 

Additionally, I've had trouble my whole career balancing priorities.  I give lip service to God, wife, kids, myself before work, etc, but I'm afraid my "lifesong" sings to my work.  Currently, it is consuming my physical, mental, and emotional energy.  Just yesterday, however, I stood up for what I know to be a high priority for my family.  I've had a long-term tasking to get a briefing up to several key leaders and they set a date for 12-13 May.  I responded to my leadership that I wouldn't be able to support that week.  Although I don't currently really have plans, this is the first week both kids will be out of school and if we're going to take a vacation, this is the most logical time to do so.  I don't see a scriptural reference to vacations, but God was very strict about a "Sabbath."  I don't dislike my job at all, but I can tell it's time for a "Sabbath." I need a break and so does my family. 

"...continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them],"  I know that in the end, very little of what is currently stressing me out has any eternal value.  It is here today, causes me great distress and distraction, but will be gone tomorrow.  The same with people's opinions.  My God, my family, and my closest friendships, however remain.  To these I must remain faithful. 

Be alive

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. - Colossians 2:13-14

Today I feel like the whole world has turned on me.  We have had enough of you it is saying.  You can't do anything well and so we are going to take what you do have and move on to the next guy.  It seems like every job has problems and needs me to work extra on it, but I just can't make that a priority.  It seems every person I interact with is unsatisfied with my work, but I just can't make that a priority.  It seems the people in my office don't think I'm working enough, but I just can't make that a priority.

Forsaking the whole world, He gave Himself for those He loved.  No matter what the world says about me, no matter who is disappointed in me, no matter who doesn't like me, I have to follow Jesus who put those He  loved first and served them.  And today all of us have the ability to choose Him and be forgiven, but most importantly, we have the ability to live close to Him.  Jesus is life and God is love, so loving is life.  Today I can live life by loving someone, not some "thing".

I pray that I choose Jesus first today.  I pray that Jesus will help those around me work out their perceptions or perspectives.  I pray that I will be who He made me to be and reflect Him to those around me, no matter what is hurled towards me.  I pray most that I would love others today and in so doing live my life fully.

Apr 13

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:12-15 NIV)

The crowds were looking for an earthly political King. Jesus wasn't as concerned, however, about the temporary things of this world.  Instead, he was and remains today much more concerned about establishing an eternal kingdom in the hearts of men.  Being fully God, he knew that a political king, someone who could lead a rebellion against Rome and re-establish the geopolitical greatness of the times of David, would not lead to an eternal kingdom.  In fact, he made this point plain: Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36 NIV). 

We often expect the God of the universe to conform to our understanding or to our desires of who we want him to be. Do not be deceived or so prideful as to think that God must conform to you or your wishes.  We are to conform to Him.  

Today's verses remind us that we must pay attention to the entirety of scripture to capture the true understanding of God.  

Apr 10

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. (Proverbs 3:27, 28 NIV)

How often does someone share a problem or request prayer and our response is "ok, I will?"  It seems to me that when someone requests prayer, that is the exact moment to do so. After all, can't we always pray?  

Apr 9

For  certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 1:4, 16, 19 NIV)

These selected verses from the book of Jude remind us that satan is out to thwart the work of the church. One of his weapons is people within the church. People who water down or change the gospel message; people who "pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality..."  Sound familiar?  There are many topics being debating within the church today that are simply black and white in scripture. Satan is winnig when we debate these topics in front of nonbelievers.  

How about "grumblers and faultfinders?"  Do you ever come out of church griping about the music, the temperature, the flat delivery of the message, or something else?  I've become particularly sensitive to the number of people who have some negative critique of church, but cannot recall the message.  You've done yourself and all of those around you a great disservice when you appoint yourself a critic and fail to grasp the message.  None of us are in a position to criticize!  We are all terrible sinners and deserve death. The fact that we are privileged enough to worship God freely and without persecution provides an opportunity to hear God speak, see him work in and around us, and worship him with abandon.  Failure to do so is our own fault, no one else's, so we all need to stop adding sin upon ourselves like heaping coals by thinking that God has appointed us a critic.  

The text goes on to indict those who criticize others in the church or constantly brag about themselves. These people just wear me out. They are obviously needy and insecure and somehow that is my fault or responsibility to address.  

So to all of us I say STOP!  Knock it off!  Shut your ignorant, critical mouth, and quit giving satan a foothold in your own life, the lives of those around you, and in the life of the church.   Recognize that we are all sinners and in need of grace. Look for what God is offering you through others and through the service rather than what doesn't "meet your needs". Scripture says you need to die!  That we are not struck down by a bolt of lightning is cause enough to celebrate!  

I challenge you to quit being so self centered that you feel even the urge to criticize.  Become so focused on loving God and loving others that His love overwhelms and even casts out your critical spirit.  Endeavor to walk away from church, SS, or encounters with others feeling blessed rather than deprived.  

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

Apr 15

Matt 22:  ¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax^[a] to Caesar or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” ²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” ²² When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (NIV)

Tax Day, Ugh.  I hate the whole process of how we pay taxes.  I'm very fortunate that Reja has the patience to wade through thousands of pages of law and instructions to figure out how to take the appropriate deductions to reduce our tax burden.  I'm not even organized enough to fill out the receipts from Waterfront Rescue, so we have at least two loads of charitable contributions that cannot be deducted because I didn't fill out the form. 
Worse, I hate where some of my tax money is spent.  Subsidies for those "less fortunate" are very necessary and I like the fact that our society is benevolent.  Unfortunately, however, we've developed a trend of pursuing votes through government dependency which dooms our nation to a slow, painful economic death.  How do I know we're doomed?  Because scripture says "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thes 3:10) and I know that nothing separate from God can last.  
I wish we could simplify government and taxes by simply going to a flat tax or a consumer tax, but I'm afraid that politicians have discovered that we are easily manipulated by the laws they pass.  As I age, I become more and more angry about this manipulation, but feel helpless to do anything about it other than rant.  I'm only somewhat comforted by the knowledge that in the end, God wins.  I'm afraid that end may be very painful if not for me, for my kids. 
Regardless, my job according to Christ, is to obey the authorities over me.  So, I filed my taxes and I'm heading off to work.  As I do so, I pray that somehow I can be a force of change.  I don't want to beat people into submission (although it somehow seems easier...), but I do want people to wake up to the truth that God expects us to work.  What are you doing today to earn your next meal?  Are you applying yourself to school, work, and assigned chores, or are you content to be spoiled by your parents?  If you really read this, leave me a comment!

Peace Be With You!

Jesus said, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” - John 20:21

The disciples are all huddled in a home with the doors locked, fearful of the Jews who might come and slaughter them as they have crucified Jesus.  Yet Jesus is among them in the house and He reveals Himself to them.  Yet even one week later they are again inside the home with locked doors and Jesus comes through the doors.  I want to believe that after seeing Him alive again with his nail scars they would not be afraid anymore, but as I consider that I think about myself and how I am afraid sometimes.  I want to believe that after having experienced my risen Savior personally I would not be afraid of anything of this world, but sometimes I do still find some hidden fears.  How can that be?  Where God isn't, fear is.

Three times in seven verses does Jesus say "Peace to you" as He reveals Himself to them.  I have to believe this is purposeful.  It conveys a sense of directed calm at His disciples who, being locked in a home together afraid for their lives, seem to need some assurance.  But maybe He is also calling back to their memory of His teachings, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)  "Peace to you" Jesus greets them,  "My peace to you ... do not be afraid." 

"As my Father has sent Me, I am sending you."  "Where?"  I am sure this is the first question asked by the disciples.  And this is quickly followed by relief with the thoughts, "Thank you Lord!  Those Jews out there want to kill us."  Completely misunderstanding that it is to those Jews they are being sent.  "Peace be with you!" Jesus commands as He greets them.  My perception of this is He is conveying their purpose.  ...  Where My peace is no man can reach and no man can overcome.  "My peace be with you! ... Do not be afraid. ... I am sending you."  Don't huddle inside this home afraid!  I am sending you for Me just as I was sent for Him.  Believe in Me with your whole heart!  Follow Me!

Jesus had prayed for these disciples specifically in John 17:20-23.  He also prayed for you and me specifically as one who believes in Him through their word.  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."

As Jesus sent His disciples who followed Him as He went being sent by our Father God.  So shall we who believe in Jesus through the words of His disciples be sent so that the world may know that Jesus was sent by the Father and He loves us just as the Father loves Him.

Peace be with you!  As the Father sent Jesus and Jesus sent the disciples, He sends you and me!

Apr 14

John 20: ²¹ Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you. (AMP)

 

I Wonder if the people around me recognize me as a Christian through my actions as well as my words?  Do I even want them to recognize me as a Christian? Do the people I was crammed into the Stadium with this weekend recognize Jesus in me?  Do the drivers around me see Jesus in my driving?  Do the people that I interact with at the store, or the restaurant, or the hotel recognize Jesus when I'm there?  I hope my friends and coworkers know where I stand.  Jesus said "³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matt 10).  Therefore, our witness is not just important, its a matter if life and death! 

Apr 13

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:12-15 NIV)

The crowds were looking for an earthly political King. Jesus wasn't as concerned, however, about the temporary things of this world.  Instead, he was and remains today much more concerned about establishing an eternal kingdom in the hearts of men.  Being fully God, he knew that a political king, someone who could lead a rebellion against Rome and re-establish the geopolitical greatness of the times of David, would not lead to an eternal kingdom.  In fact, he made this point plain: Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36 NIV). 

We often expect the God of the universe to conform to our understanding or to our desires of who we want him to be. Do not be deceived or so prideful as to think that God must conform to you or your wishes.  We are to conform to Him.  

Today's verses remind us that we must pay attention to the entirety of scripture to capture the true understanding of God.  

Watch and Do

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that. - Ephesians 5:1-2 (Message)

I don't often quote from the Message Bible but today it expands upon these verses well.  It does leave off the end of verse 2 as interpreted in NKJV and NIV which indicate that the love of Christ to sacrifice for us was a pleasant aroma or fragrant offering to God.  Matthew Henry comments "that the sin-offerings were never said to be of a sweet-smelling savour, but this is said of the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."  God was pleased and accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.  God was pleased in the love of Jesus to love us as God loves us and to serve us through His own sacrifice.

"Watch what God does, and then you do it."  I like this.  It has very Henry Blackaby 'Experiencing God' feel to it in referring to the idea of watch where God is working and join Him there.  It also has tones of "What Would Jesus Do" in its delivery. 

"Keep company with Him ... observe how Christ loved us."  In the way that Jesus loved us as God loved us, so shall we strive to love as God loves.  In this way will our sacrifice, with Christ with us, be a pleasant aroma to God.  It is very important for us to read and talk with God so that we might be able to allow more and more of Him to rule in our life.  While we speak of our own sacrifice, I find that when we are more closely aligned with God, this that we consider "sacrifice" changes and we begin to consider it our necessary service.  It is what we do because we love others.  And it is that love, the love of God, that rules our hearts on the behalf of others.

The Other Disciple

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.  Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.  He saw and believed. - John 20:1-8

This is one of the oddest written portions of John to me.  Why does he write while not naming "the other disciple".  It seems strange but purposefully done.  The key verse is the last verse, "He saw and believed."  I want to immediately think that he then believed in who Jesus was as God at that moment, but he could have equally just believed that someone had taken Him.  However, the reason I don't believe he was thinking that someone had just taken Jesus is the way it is written.  The description of how the linen and head cloth are lying there describe more than He was just taken.  It describes that the body had disappeared. 

I find the story is a great analogy of someone as they are coming into a belief in Christ.  This may be why the text is written without naming the other disciple, as this other disciple could be any one of us.  I get the sense that "the other disciple" looked in, saw the linen deflated and it was too much to the senses to enter.  As when a person first realizes that Jesus could be God.  The mind is opened up and thoughts start racing and it is too much for the senses at first.  This person then has to decide whether to "enter" into the belief or to stay outside.  Do they dare to go "in"? 

Here, once Peter had entered, the other disciple then had the courage to go in and confirming the absence of the body, the resurrection, he believed.  Most often, a person will follow a disciple who believes into their own belief.  Peter knew who Jesus was and had already confirmed it (Matthew 16:16).  Peter had gone in and this disciple decides to go in also and he believes because of it.  Similarly, an unbeliever at that point of decision may see us living without doubt in the belief of the resurrection and decide to believe themselves. 

An important aspect, not be overlooked, is that the other disciple was with Peter.  If we want to influence others, we have to be with them.  We can't live on our believer's island and hope to influence someone on the mainland.  We need to walk (in this case run) with them to their point of decision and walk them into the fact of the resurrection of Christ.

On a more personal level, what aspects of our lives still live outside the tomb?  What part of me have I not allowed to enter into the tomb and believe wholly upon His resurrection?  What part of me does not depend upon and trust in the power of God?

Service

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself ... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  - Philippians 2:3,5-8

This aspect of the Christian life is so very hard to live.  When we are being blessed with success financially, with good children, in ministry, in friendships, with our hobbies, in our relationships, in our health or in any other area, it is difficult not to be proud.  Whether we think we have done something or we think we are above others and so God has blessed us, it can be a slippery slope to walk to be careful and not be proud. 

We are to serve others.  It should not be a goal for us to be lifted up before others.  We should not be working our ministry, or giving generously to a charitable effort, or fighting for some cause, so others can see how good we are.  Jesus purposely pointed this out in His observation with the disciples of watching how people gave their offerings at the temple.  These things are to be done with an intended secrecy so we are truly serving others and not ourselves.  If discovered and other men want to lift us up and present accolades, it is very important to present the source of our life and our ability to serve and to testify to the work that Jesus has done.

Jesus did not use His advantage as God's Son and come to the earth and rule it.  He could have done so, but where would man be in relation to God?  He came as a non-ruler, a poor man, but rich as the Father's Son, and served all of man by even subjecting himself to the rule of man so as to die on a cross so man could be in a relationship with God.  He, the most powerful "man" on the earth, humbled Himself to be ruled over, beaten, cursed, ridiculed and crucified.  All so each of us, so I, can know God personally.

I am to humble myself; I am to search out for all pride in my life and have it removed; I am to be mindful of the extreme Jesus went to for me and be willing to do as much for others.  I am to demonstrate God's grace and mercy to others, not because I'm doing them a favor, but because that is my best service to them.

Seemingly, the most difficult time for being proud is when we are tired.  There will exist a time when we have served many, given much, and feel forgotten.  We might even be under some kind of attack from finances, children making bad choices, have serious health issues, friendships crumbled, or some other happenstance.  It is this time when we may be tempted to believe we deserve something.  ...  Where is my reward Lord?  ...  It was at this time that Jesus prayed His deepest prayers.  It was at this time that Jesus was asked for an alternate course, but yielded to His Father's will.  ...  In all of our life, the simplicity of personal communion with our living Christ, must be all we desire or want.  Do not let a need to feel like your life mattered take hold.  If you live your life clinging closely with Jesus in your heart, your life matters. 

As He gave to the end of his physical life, so let us pray that we might be able to give as He did, in humility and in service.