“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
Rufus and Moe have been depressed, their routine has been interrupted, nothing is the same from one day to the next - this is their new normal and they don’t like it. Life is full of change both good and not so good. Our normal can be interrupted at any time by a minor detour or a major course change and then we have to deal with whatever the new normal is. Sometimes we like the new normal and sometimes we don’t. It is how we respond to these changes in normal that make a difference in our perspective and attitude.
James tells us we should consider it pure joy when we face trials because it helps us to grow in faith. Change can often be a trial even if it is a good change. I wonder how often as we go through the process of change; do we take an attitude of joy as life makes us adjust to the new normal. I know I don’t always. Sometimes like Rufus and Moe when my normal gets interfered with I am anything but joyful.
Births and deaths, prosperity and poverty, lush gardens and harsh wilderness, good health and life changing illness - all of these and more can mess with whatever our normal is. I want to encourage you to face each change with an attitude of joy, knowing full well that you are not alone in the journey.
Woohoo! Welcome to the new normal!
A prayer
Father – Forgive us for the time when we are less than grateful for the things you are trying to teach us. Help us to embrace change and make the most of the new normal in our lives, even when it means normal changing from one minute to the next. Thank you for walking with us, for showing us where to step. With Your help we can consider it pure joy. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Responsibility and Duty
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:4-6
235 years ago those living in the New World declared their independence from England, yet today we are fascinated with the British royal family. Recent news stories about Princes William and Harry got me thinking. William and Harry have been born into a life of privilege and with privilege come responsibility and duty. All of their lives there have been expectations about how they are to behave and the things they are to do in service to God and country. These fine, young men have stepped up to the task and no doubt their grandmother Queen Elizabeth and their father are very proud of them.
Today’s passage reminds us that we too are members of a royal family - the Divine Royal family of God. We have been adopted into a life of privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility and duty. I think sometimes because we are adopted we may not understand that there are expectations concerning how we should behave and what we should be doing.
We are expected to love the Lord with every fiber of our being and we are to serve Him by serving and loving others. Just as William and Harry represent the Queen as they serve in the military and travel the world - so we represent The King as we go about our daily lives. Do our lives reflect that? Are we caring for those in our spheres of influence in the same way Jesus would, are we serving our brothers and sisters as we are called to do?
I know many of you reading this understand the responsibility and duty that comes with being a child of the King and that in many ways I am “preaching to the choir” but sometimes I think the choir can reach people in a way no one else can. So if you are serving - if you are doing your best to fulfill your royal responsibilities and you know others who aren’t - share with them the joy and blessing you gain from what you do. For those of you who may not be serving - pray that you will gain insight into the gifts you have been given and ask for direction concerning what you should do, talk to those you know who are serving for help.
We have all been adopted into a life of royal privilege may we well fulfill our responsibilities and duties. Let’s make the King proud.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for making us a part of Your royal family. Help us to understand the responsibility and duty that come with that privilege. Make clear the gifts for serving You have given us and make our hearts burn with a need to serve. Your Son showed us the way, may we walk in it by Your power. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 1:4-6
235 years ago those living in the New World declared their independence from England, yet today we are fascinated with the British royal family. Recent news stories about Princes William and Harry got me thinking. William and Harry have been born into a life of privilege and with privilege come responsibility and duty. All of their lives there have been expectations about how they are to behave and the things they are to do in service to God and country. These fine, young men have stepped up to the task and no doubt their grandmother Queen Elizabeth and their father are very proud of them.
Today’s passage reminds us that we too are members of a royal family - the Divine Royal family of God. We have been adopted into a life of privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility and duty. I think sometimes because we are adopted we may not understand that there are expectations concerning how we should behave and what we should be doing.
We are expected to love the Lord with every fiber of our being and we are to serve Him by serving and loving others. Just as William and Harry represent the Queen as they serve in the military and travel the world - so we represent The King as we go about our daily lives. Do our lives reflect that? Are we caring for those in our spheres of influence in the same way Jesus would, are we serving our brothers and sisters as we are called to do?
I know many of you reading this understand the responsibility and duty that comes with being a child of the King and that in many ways I am “preaching to the choir” but sometimes I think the choir can reach people in a way no one else can. So if you are serving - if you are doing your best to fulfill your royal responsibilities and you know others who aren’t - share with them the joy and blessing you gain from what you do. For those of you who may not be serving - pray that you will gain insight into the gifts you have been given and ask for direction concerning what you should do, talk to those you know who are serving for help.
We have all been adopted into a life of royal privilege may we well fulfill our responsibilities and duties. Let’s make the King proud.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for making us a part of Your royal family. Help us to understand the responsibility and duty that come with that privilege. Make clear the gifts for serving You have given us and make our hearts burn with a need to serve. Your Son showed us the way, may we walk in it by Your power. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, April 2, 2012
I Died For You
“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
As I write this two things are on my mind - the hit television show Once Upon A Time and the cross of Christ. I know, I can hear some of you thinking - how do those two things fit together? Let me try to explain.
Snow White under the influence of a magic potion has forgotten what true love is, her heart has grown dark and she is bent on murderous revenge - she plans on killing her stepmother, the evil queen. True love’s kiss had failed to break the spell, so Prince Charming had to find another way to break the spell and save his beloved Snow White. He takes the arrow intended for the Queen and when Snow asks him why - he looks her in the eye and says: “I love you, I would die for you.” Now it isn’t the prince’s willingness to sacrifice his life, after all that’s what fairy tale princes do. It is Snow’s response that got me thinking. As his words sunk in to her heart the spell was broken, her heart was softened and filled will love again. Her whole countenance changed.
We have a prince too, a real prince. Isaiah calls Him the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world…” God speaking through the prophet Ezekiel says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Eze. 36:26). Jesus, hanging on the crossing asked His Father to “forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). This is God’s true love for us. He died for me and you, so that our hearts would not become black and hard - so that we would know what true love is really like.
Can you see him? Beaten and near death as he stumbles down the road carrying His cross on the way to Calvary. Did He see you in crowds that lined that ancient street? Did He look you in the eye and say “I love you - I will die for you”. Can you hear Him even now whispering to your heart “I love you, I died for you.” Allow those words to sink in and chase the darkness away. Allow His light of true love to fill your whole being and then let it shine for the world around you to see.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for being the source of true love. Thank you for loving us so much that you laid down Your life to heal our world wounded hearts, souls and minds. May we hear often Your words of love as we travel on this journey home. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Matthew 20:28
As I write this two things are on my mind - the hit television show Once Upon A Time and the cross of Christ. I know, I can hear some of you thinking - how do those two things fit together? Let me try to explain.
Snow White under the influence of a magic potion has forgotten what true love is, her heart has grown dark and she is bent on murderous revenge - she plans on killing her stepmother, the evil queen. True love’s kiss had failed to break the spell, so Prince Charming had to find another way to break the spell and save his beloved Snow White. He takes the arrow intended for the Queen and when Snow asks him why - he looks her in the eye and says: “I love you, I would die for you.” Now it isn’t the prince’s willingness to sacrifice his life, after all that’s what fairy tale princes do. It is Snow’s response that got me thinking. As his words sunk in to her heart the spell was broken, her heart was softened and filled will love again. Her whole countenance changed.
We have a prince too, a real prince. Isaiah calls Him the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world…” God speaking through the prophet Ezekiel says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Eze. 36:26). Jesus, hanging on the crossing asked His Father to “forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). This is God’s true love for us. He died for me and you, so that our hearts would not become black and hard - so that we would know what true love is really like.
Can you see him? Beaten and near death as he stumbles down the road carrying His cross on the way to Calvary. Did He see you in crowds that lined that ancient street? Did He look you in the eye and say “I love you - I will die for you”. Can you hear Him even now whispering to your heart “I love you, I died for you.” Allow those words to sink in and chase the darkness away. Allow His light of true love to fill your whole being and then let it shine for the world around you to see.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for being the source of true love. Thank you for loving us so much that you laid down Your life to heal our world wounded hearts, souls and minds. May we hear often Your words of love as we travel on this journey home. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Together
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’”
John 20:19
It had been a horrible few days. On Friday they had watched their friend and teacher, the one they thought was the Messiah brutally beaten and crucified. Some of them had fled and those that remained were together. Hold up together out of fear and grief. Jesus had told them but they didn’t get it. Then all of a sudden He is there with them, the locked doors hadn’t stopped Him, the Romans hadn’t stopped Him, death hadn’t stopped Him. He was with them giving them peace.
Humans were never meant to be alone - when Adam was alone God said it wasn’t good (Genesis 2:18). The church was built on people being together in the name of Jesus the Christ. Acts 2:1 says: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” Later in the same chapter we read that the believers were together - the met together, ate together, prayed together, and worshipped together… “And the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47). The apostles never traveled alone they were always together with someone.
When we stand together in life and prayer - faint hearts are strengthened, burdens are shared, blessings are celebrated and when we fall, someone is there to help us up. In the book of Hebrews we read “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit if doing, but let us encourage one another…” (v. 25).
We were made for relationship, we need each other. Whether you are in the midst of a storm or on the mountain top make sure you are not on the journey alone. As followers of Christ we need to be together often… it one of the ways His kingdom grows.
Jesus was in their midst when they were together. Jesus told them they would have power when they were together. He said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20).
A prayer
Father – Thank you for putting people in our lives who help us grow, who help and encourage us when we are down. Who celebrate with us when things are good. Thank for Your promise of being with us when we are together in Your Son’s name. May we be together more than just on Sunday mornings. Help us in the busy world we live in make time to be together and to invite You to join us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
John 20:19
It had been a horrible few days. On Friday they had watched their friend and teacher, the one they thought was the Messiah brutally beaten and crucified. Some of them had fled and those that remained were together. Hold up together out of fear and grief. Jesus had told them but they didn’t get it. Then all of a sudden He is there with them, the locked doors hadn’t stopped Him, the Romans hadn’t stopped Him, death hadn’t stopped Him. He was with them giving them peace.
Humans were never meant to be alone - when Adam was alone God said it wasn’t good (Genesis 2:18). The church was built on people being together in the name of Jesus the Christ. Acts 2:1 says: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” Later in the same chapter we read that the believers were together - the met together, ate together, prayed together, and worshipped together… “And the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47). The apostles never traveled alone they were always together with someone.
When we stand together in life and prayer - faint hearts are strengthened, burdens are shared, blessings are celebrated and when we fall, someone is there to help us up. In the book of Hebrews we read “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit if doing, but let us encourage one another…” (v. 25).
We were made for relationship, we need each other. Whether you are in the midst of a storm or on the mountain top make sure you are not on the journey alone. As followers of Christ we need to be together often… it one of the ways His kingdom grows.
Jesus was in their midst when they were together. Jesus told them they would have power when they were together. He said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20).
A prayer
Father – Thank you for putting people in our lives who help us grow, who help and encourage us when we are down. Who celebrate with us when things are good. Thank for Your promise of being with us when we are together in Your Son’s name. May we be together more than just on Sunday mornings. Help us in the busy world we live in make time to be together and to invite You to join us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Revolution of the Heart
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
In the 2011 movie Seven Days in Utopia an up and coming pro golfer named Luke, has a meltdown on the course and in trying to escape finds himself in the small town of Utopia. In Utopia he meets a man who helps to revolutionize his golf game and in the process brings about a revolution in Luke’s heart. In today’s passage we read how we are being transformed into Christ’s likeness by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
One of the ways that the dictionary defines transform is “to change in condition, nature or character”. The dictionary provides a definition of revolution that is in keeping with this idea of change when it says revolution is “a sudden, complete or marked change in something.” Transformation and revolution rarely come without some degree of pain, without something being broken. But the healing worked by the Holy Spirit will make us stronger, more faithful and change who we look like. This is the kind of heart revolution Luke has in the movie.
Most of us will not have to worry about the pressures that come with being a public figure - like professional athletes, entertainers or politicians and the worldly image many of these people reflect. However, we are just as likely to reflect the world as they are. We are called to something greater; we are called to a life of revolutionary transformation that allows our hearts and lives to reflect the amazing grace and love of God.
Revolution and transformation require sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life so that our lives might be revolutionized. The process may be painful are you willing to be broken in order to be transformed?
A prayer
Father – make us new, day by day. We are often afraid of change, of rocking the boat. We read in your word that Your love casts out fear and that because Your Son overcame the world, we have already overcome. We already have the victory; we need only to let Your Spirit work to bring healing and to mold us into Your image, so that we can reflect the light of Your glory. Thank you for your grace, mercy and love as you make us new. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
In the 2011 movie Seven Days in Utopia an up and coming pro golfer named Luke, has a meltdown on the course and in trying to escape finds himself in the small town of Utopia. In Utopia he meets a man who helps to revolutionize his golf game and in the process brings about a revolution in Luke’s heart. In today’s passage we read how we are being transformed into Christ’s likeness by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
One of the ways that the dictionary defines transform is “to change in condition, nature or character”. The dictionary provides a definition of revolution that is in keeping with this idea of change when it says revolution is “a sudden, complete or marked change in something.” Transformation and revolution rarely come without some degree of pain, without something being broken. But the healing worked by the Holy Spirit will make us stronger, more faithful and change who we look like. This is the kind of heart revolution Luke has in the movie.
Most of us will not have to worry about the pressures that come with being a public figure - like professional athletes, entertainers or politicians and the worldly image many of these people reflect. However, we are just as likely to reflect the world as they are. We are called to something greater; we are called to a life of revolutionary transformation that allows our hearts and lives to reflect the amazing grace and love of God.
Revolution and transformation require sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life so that our lives might be revolutionized. The process may be painful are you willing to be broken in order to be transformed?
A prayer
Father – make us new, day by day. We are often afraid of change, of rocking the boat. We read in your word that Your love casts out fear and that because Your Son overcame the world, we have already overcome. We already have the victory; we need only to let Your Spirit work to bring healing and to mold us into Your image, so that we can reflect the light of Your glory. Thank you for your grace, mercy and love as you make us new. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sacrifice of Love
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
I’ve been thinking about what it looks like to be an imitator of God or more precisely an imitator of Jesus. Certainly there are things that we can do, like caring for those in need and showing love to those who the world ignores. We can set aside our selfish desires and work to make the world a better place, but I think there is more to it than just doing stuff.
I have been thinking about Jesus’ attitude as he served the sick, washed the feet of his disciples and had dinner with those who were outcasts - the tax collectors and sinners. Rarely was he thanked, usually he was questioned by the “religious authorities” and no doubt people talked behind his back. Never once have I read that he felt unappreciated (even though he was) even as he hung dying on the cross the closest thing we get to a complaint is his cry of “my God, my God why have you forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46).
I have been wondering how my attitude is when I am striving to be the hands and feet of God. Am I serving so that my life reflects Jesus, so my life is a living sacrifice or am I serving in hopes of receiving the some kind of praise from the world? I want to not only do the kinds of things that Jesus did, I want to have the attitude and motivation He had as well.
I want my life to be a sacrifice of love, with no expectation for getting anything back until that day when I stand before the throne and look Jesus in the face. What about you?
A prayer
Father – to echo the Psalmist teach us to walk in your ways. In this world it can be so easy to do the “right” things for all the wrong reasons, so help us to have a right attitude, help us to be motivated by our love for you and you alone. Thank you for being patient with us as we become less and you become more. May our lives be a sacrifice of love. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 5:1-2
I’ve been thinking about what it looks like to be an imitator of God or more precisely an imitator of Jesus. Certainly there are things that we can do, like caring for those in need and showing love to those who the world ignores. We can set aside our selfish desires and work to make the world a better place, but I think there is more to it than just doing stuff.
I have been thinking about Jesus’ attitude as he served the sick, washed the feet of his disciples and had dinner with those who were outcasts - the tax collectors and sinners. Rarely was he thanked, usually he was questioned by the “religious authorities” and no doubt people talked behind his back. Never once have I read that he felt unappreciated (even though he was) even as he hung dying on the cross the closest thing we get to a complaint is his cry of “my God, my God why have you forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46).
I have been wondering how my attitude is when I am striving to be the hands and feet of God. Am I serving so that my life reflects Jesus, so my life is a living sacrifice or am I serving in hopes of receiving the some kind of praise from the world? I want to not only do the kinds of things that Jesus did, I want to have the attitude and motivation He had as well.
I want my life to be a sacrifice of love, with no expectation for getting anything back until that day when I stand before the throne and look Jesus in the face. What about you?
A prayer
Father – to echo the Psalmist teach us to walk in your ways. In this world it can be so easy to do the “right” things for all the wrong reasons, so help us to have a right attitude, help us to be motivated by our love for you and you alone. Thank you for being patient with us as we become less and you become more. May our lives be a sacrifice of love. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sacrifice of Praise
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Hebrews 13:15
Today is a glorious day – the sun is shining, the trees are blooming and all around are the indications of spring. It is one of those days where for me everything seems right with the world. In times like this praising God is anything but a sacrifice – or at least what we would define as sacrifice. When things are good we have no trouble finding the words to express how awesome God is, in fact we may think our words do not adequately express what we feel.
But then there are other days, days when the sun may be shining but all is not right with the world. On those days when our spirits and lives are shrouded by the gathering storm clouds, praise becomes a sacrifice. It can be so easy when life gets tough to not praise God, the words don’t come, the doubt creeps in and we scream why me.
The writer of Hebrews tells that “through Jesus” we are able to offer praise as a sacrifice. In difficult times we need to lay down our desire to have an “Oh woe is me, pity party” and praise God for the simple fact that He is God and we are able to take a life giving breath.
Maybe, some times our honest cries for help, of doubt, our asking why - is just as much praise as our words of thanksgiving and adoration.
Our God is an awesome God, deserving of every form of praise that we can conceive. I don’t know what kind of day you are having. I don’t know what the week holds for any of us. I want to encourage you to offer a sacrifice of praise whether the sun is shining or the storm clouds are gathering.
During this season of Lent and beyond I want my life to be a sacrifice of praise, how about you?
A prayer
Father – thank you for understanding that sometimes we find it hard to praise you. Help us in those times to embrace the storm and praise you any way we can. Hear the cries of our hearts, may they be pleasing to you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Hebrews 13:15
Today is a glorious day – the sun is shining, the trees are blooming and all around are the indications of spring. It is one of those days where for me everything seems right with the world. In times like this praising God is anything but a sacrifice – or at least what we would define as sacrifice. When things are good we have no trouble finding the words to express how awesome God is, in fact we may think our words do not adequately express what we feel.
But then there are other days, days when the sun may be shining but all is not right with the world. On those days when our spirits and lives are shrouded by the gathering storm clouds, praise becomes a sacrifice. It can be so easy when life gets tough to not praise God, the words don’t come, the doubt creeps in and we scream why me.
The writer of Hebrews tells that “through Jesus” we are able to offer praise as a sacrifice. In difficult times we need to lay down our desire to have an “Oh woe is me, pity party” and praise God for the simple fact that He is God and we are able to take a life giving breath.
Maybe, some times our honest cries for help, of doubt, our asking why - is just as much praise as our words of thanksgiving and adoration.
Our God is an awesome God, deserving of every form of praise that we can conceive. I don’t know what kind of day you are having. I don’t know what the week holds for any of us. I want to encourage you to offer a sacrifice of praise whether the sun is shining or the storm clouds are gathering.
During this season of Lent and beyond I want my life to be a sacrifice of praise, how about you?
A prayer
Father – thank you for understanding that sometimes we find it hard to praise you. Help us in those times to embrace the storm and praise you any way we can. Hear the cries of our hearts, may they be pleasing to you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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