“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galatians 2:20-21
We had just observed Memorial Day in the U.S. I had done a bit research and discovered that many countries have a similar sort of day - a day to remember those members of their Armed Forces who paid the ultimate price in defending their countries. Many countries, especially in the Western world seem to have two such days each, one in the spring and one in the fall - it is important to remember the sacrifices these men and women have made.
Thinking about all the men and women who have given their lives to give us the amazing freedoms we have here in the U.S. and in much of the free world reminded me of this week’s passage written by Paul to the Galatians church. You see, in my opinion there are two types of freedom in this world – one is the freedom created by the political systems under which we live and the other is spiritual freedom. Both types have been won for us by the sacrifice of others. Both types come with responsibilities. Both types we often take for granted.
Paul is reminding the Galatians that rule following or just being a “good person” wouldn’t be enough, that if following the letter of the law was enough to reconcile us with God, Jesus’ death would have been for nothing, would have been in vain. So we are responsible for living in His grace, not taking His death and resurrection for granted but letting His Spirit make us new and to live as Christ. We can take this lesson right into our lives of political freedom. When we fail to take part in how are nations are run, if we think it doesn’t matter what we think or how we vote or not vote then we take for granted the freedom we have and the sacrifices of those who fought for it and of those that defend it today are for nothing, are in vain. We might as well give it all away and live in bondage ruled by power hungry dictators.
This week I want to challenge you to embrace the responsibilities of spiritual and political freedom. Allow the Spirit of Jesus to make you know, so you can reflect His love, grace, compassion and mercy to everyone around you especially on the people you don’t like or who society says are unlovable – because those are the people Jesus hung around with. Take the time to get involved in the political workings of your nation. Some may be called to serve, but most of us can make a difference if we educate ourselves on the issues and candidates then use that knowledge to vote responsibly according to our good consciences. And pray for your leaders – they need Spiritual freedom too.
Don’t take your freedoms for granted. Don’t let these extraordinary sacrifices be in vain.
A Prayer
Father - thank you for the sacrifice of your Son. Thank you for the sacrifice of our nation’s armed forces and first responders. Thank you for the freedom that is ours because of these sacrifices. Help us to not take our freedom for granted, but to instead lead lives worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf. In the name of Jesus, we pray - Amen
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
A Test of Authenticity
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’”
Genesis 22:1-2
Abram became Abraham because he had found favor with God, favor that had come with obedience – so why the test, why this most difficult test? From personal experience I know that some acts of obedience are harder than others, some don’t really require total surrender to the one asking. God, however, wants all of our lives and so we get tested – a test of authenticity and surrender.
There are plenty of examples in the Bible of people who were given a test of authenticity. Joseph was tested, Job was tested, Esther was tested, Elijah was tested, and Peter’s test came in the form of the same question being asked three times by a risen Jesus. Because all of these heroes of faith were tested, we shouldn’t be surprised when our authenticity as followers of Jesus is tested.
I want to share a story of a time when I feel like I failed such a test – the description may be a little graphic, but life is messy. A couple of decades ago, my husband, a friend and I were in San Francisco to see a play. As we walked from a restaurant to the theatre there was a homeless man sitting in a doorway, urinating where he sat – that’s a sad state for anyone but to make the indignity of the situation even worse, someone was standing there taking a picture of him. The scene is etched in my mind. I wish that I had, had the strength of character and courage of faith to have stopped the guy with the camera, to have told him that it wasn’t right to do that. Today, I would have had the courage to act on the injustice of the moment, but then I did not.
It is highly unlikely that any of us will be asked to sacrifice a child the way Abraham was, but the Lord will still test our authenticity, our willingness to surrender our lives for His calling. What will it be for you? Will it be to stop looking past or through someone with a disability? Will it be to stop and look that person with the “I’m hungry sign” right in the eye and give them a hand? Will you travel to a third world nation to serve those less fortunate? Will you set fear or selfishness aside to love someone the way Jesus loves you?
The test will come, probably when you least expect it; probably, when you are feeling pretty secure in your faith. Abraham didn’t question God; he just did what was asked of him – even when he probably didn’t understand. Abraham and all the others I mentioned prove to us two things – first, that the Spirit of God will grant us what we need to pass the test of authenticity and then that in doing so we will be blessed as good and faithful servants.
When test comes, follow Him, obey Him - then it will be a no worries kind of situation and your faith will be proved authentic.
A Prayer
Father, none of us like to be tested and while I am sure that Abraham, Joseph, Job, Esther, Elijah and Peter didn’t enjoy the tests they faced because of your power they passed and are examples for us today. So thank you for the tests that cause us to rely on You, even when we don’t know where You are taking us. May You find our faith and obedience authentic in everything you call us to do. In the name of Jesus who wants our whole lives, we pray - Amen
Genesis 22:1-2
Abram became Abraham because he had found favor with God, favor that had come with obedience – so why the test, why this most difficult test? From personal experience I know that some acts of obedience are harder than others, some don’t really require total surrender to the one asking. God, however, wants all of our lives and so we get tested – a test of authenticity and surrender.
There are plenty of examples in the Bible of people who were given a test of authenticity. Joseph was tested, Job was tested, Esther was tested, Elijah was tested, and Peter’s test came in the form of the same question being asked three times by a risen Jesus. Because all of these heroes of faith were tested, we shouldn’t be surprised when our authenticity as followers of Jesus is tested.
I want to share a story of a time when I feel like I failed such a test – the description may be a little graphic, but life is messy. A couple of decades ago, my husband, a friend and I were in San Francisco to see a play. As we walked from a restaurant to the theatre there was a homeless man sitting in a doorway, urinating where he sat – that’s a sad state for anyone but to make the indignity of the situation even worse, someone was standing there taking a picture of him. The scene is etched in my mind. I wish that I had, had the strength of character and courage of faith to have stopped the guy with the camera, to have told him that it wasn’t right to do that. Today, I would have had the courage to act on the injustice of the moment, but then I did not.
It is highly unlikely that any of us will be asked to sacrifice a child the way Abraham was, but the Lord will still test our authenticity, our willingness to surrender our lives for His calling. What will it be for you? Will it be to stop looking past or through someone with a disability? Will it be to stop and look that person with the “I’m hungry sign” right in the eye and give them a hand? Will you travel to a third world nation to serve those less fortunate? Will you set fear or selfishness aside to love someone the way Jesus loves you?
The test will come, probably when you least expect it; probably, when you are feeling pretty secure in your faith. Abraham didn’t question God; he just did what was asked of him – even when he probably didn’t understand. Abraham and all the others I mentioned prove to us two things – first, that the Spirit of God will grant us what we need to pass the test of authenticity and then that in doing so we will be blessed as good and faithful servants.
When test comes, follow Him, obey Him - then it will be a no worries kind of situation and your faith will be proved authentic.
A Prayer
Father, none of us like to be tested and while I am sure that Abraham, Joseph, Job, Esther, Elijah and Peter didn’t enjoy the tests they faced because of your power they passed and are examples for us today. So thank you for the tests that cause us to rely on You, even when we don’t know where You are taking us. May You find our faith and obedience authentic in everything you call us to do. In the name of Jesus who wants our whole lives, we pray - Amen
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The Line is Drawn
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
2 Peter 1:3-4
There is a crimson line that has been drawn in our lives, it’s a line that the world dares us to cross, and it’s a line that Jesus calls us to cross.
The world tells us that we are sufficient in and of ourselves and that life can be perfect if only we drive the right car, wear the right clothes, have white enough teeth, go along with whatever the crowd says is right, never discipline our kids – at least not the way we were and on and on it goes. From where I am sitting that whole if it feels right do it, it’s all about me and my stuff philosophy doesn’t really seem to be working generally speaking – how’s it working for you?
On the other side of that crimson line Jesus is calling us to cross over to a life that has a completely different focus. Jesus tells us, He is all we need – that He alone is sufficient, that the cars, clothes, whitening toothpaste and the crowds will not give you more power, will not make life easier or perfect.
Jesus never promises that life will be easy but as we read in this week’s passage His divine power – which is available to all who believe and cross over the line in response to his call gives us everything we need to deal with life and the journey to godly perfection. It is power He wants to give us because of who He is and how much He loves us. His resurrection power draws us into His divine nature and way from the “stuff” of this fallen world.
The world dares us to cross line counting on our unwillingness to live selflessly and our fear of the unknown to keep us from stepping over.
Jesus calls us to step over the line that is colored by his amazing grace and mercy – to a life filled with His power – to a life better than anything the world has to offer.
What will it be? I think we should take the dare and answer the call daily to cross the line and live in His power.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that we do not have to be stuck in life, held captive by all sorts of stuff that keep us focused on ourselves. There is a cost to stepping over that crimson line – but show us each day how worth that cost is – when we can live with power and hearts that beat to serve those around us, not to mention the rich reward waiting for us in eternity. In the name of Jesus who calls us, we pray - Amen
2 Peter 1:3-4
There is a crimson line that has been drawn in our lives, it’s a line that the world dares us to cross, and it’s a line that Jesus calls us to cross.
The world tells us that we are sufficient in and of ourselves and that life can be perfect if only we drive the right car, wear the right clothes, have white enough teeth, go along with whatever the crowd says is right, never discipline our kids – at least not the way we were and on and on it goes. From where I am sitting that whole if it feels right do it, it’s all about me and my stuff philosophy doesn’t really seem to be working generally speaking – how’s it working for you?
On the other side of that crimson line Jesus is calling us to cross over to a life that has a completely different focus. Jesus tells us, He is all we need – that He alone is sufficient, that the cars, clothes, whitening toothpaste and the crowds will not give you more power, will not make life easier or perfect.
Jesus never promises that life will be easy but as we read in this week’s passage His divine power – which is available to all who believe and cross over the line in response to his call gives us everything we need to deal with life and the journey to godly perfection. It is power He wants to give us because of who He is and how much He loves us. His resurrection power draws us into His divine nature and way from the “stuff” of this fallen world.
The world dares us to cross line counting on our unwillingness to live selflessly and our fear of the unknown to keep us from stepping over.
Jesus calls us to step over the line that is colored by his amazing grace and mercy – to a life filled with His power – to a life better than anything the world has to offer.
What will it be? I think we should take the dare and answer the call daily to cross the line and live in His power.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that we do not have to be stuck in life, held captive by all sorts of stuff that keep us focused on ourselves. There is a cost to stepping over that crimson line – but show us each day how worth that cost is – when we can live with power and hearts that beat to serve those around us, not to mention the rich reward waiting for us in eternity. In the name of Jesus who calls us, we pray - Amen
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Jesus Style
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:5-8
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us and by this He demonstrates His love for us. Stop and really let that sink in. Let it sink in all the way to your heart. Because of His love we have hope and a future - if we have chosen to believe that Jesus is who He says He is and have let Him heal our souls by His wounds. I am not perfect, I make mistakes, and I have hurt people sometimes intentionally and sometime not. I have behaved selfishly at times, even still when I am at my worse. I need the love and grace Jesus offers, I need the hope those things give. What about you?
What about the people around you? Jesus taught those around him that they needed to love God and love others. Jesus told the religious leaders of his day that the “tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom before them because the sinners had heeded John’s words to repent and be baptized and they - the leaders that is - did not” (See Matthew 21:31b-32). Jesus, liked to hang out with the tax collectors and other sinners he encountered, because they knew they needed what He was offering - love, mercy and grace - friendship and family, a future so bright they would have to where shades - sorry I couldn’t help it. But, the law keepers, the teachers, the high muckity-mucks were so blind that they didn’t see they needed what Jesus was offering too.
I am sure it was much easier for the sinners to come Jesus way back then, when they could see Him, feel Him, be really embraced by Him. Today though, I am sorry to say there are some who call themselves Christians who seem to have forgotten we are called to be Jesus to the world around us. We are to love the tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners of today, we are suppose to love them right into the embrace of the Risen Savior - so that His Spirit can pour His love into their hearts. So that they can be changed from the inside out because of Jesus’ love and grace.
Scriptures suggest that some of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day figured it out - Paul the writer of Romans is a great example of that and while Scriptures don’t say so specifically I get the feelings that those leaders who didn’t get that love and grace were more important than rule keeping may not be in heaven.
Where are you in this? Do you speak truth without love and grace? Are you pushing people away from Jesus with your words and actions? Maybe you are at the other extreme all love and grace with no truth? Are you pushing people away from Jesus with your words and actions because they don’t think they need Him?
This week I want to challenge you to remember that we are all sinners, Jesus died for all of us while we were still sinners - we didn’t have to clean up our messy lives before letting him in. Then, after you have remembered the work He has done in your life - let your words and actions draw the sinners in your life to the same Jesus who saved you. To the same Jesus who fills your life with hope and the promise of a bright eternal future. That is love and grace - Jesus style.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you that we didn’t have to clean up our lives before letting You in. Thanks that Your Son’s death and resurrection make all who believe in Him new people who can leave the mess of the past behind with the help of His Spirit. Help us to remember every day that we are supposed to be drawing people to You, not pushing them away with our judgment and self righteousness. May our lives so shine with Your love and grace - that the “tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners” all around us will be drawn to the cross, like a moth to a flame. In the name of Jesus our example and Savior we pray, Amen.
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