“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.
Monday, March 26, 2012
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.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sacrifice of Prayer
"I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
Psalm 141:1-2
Sometimes we don’t take prayer seriously enough. Sometimes we use prayer to try and get what we want. For those of you who know me personally it is no secret that I really want a white, four-door - Toyota Tacoma pick-up. I have prayed for one to appear miraculously in my drive way. That is not what prayer is for. In today’s passage David wants his prayers to be like a sacrifice.
The dictionary provides a couple of definitions for the word ‘sacrifice’ that might help us with this idea of prayer as sacrifice. The first definition is: “A thing so surrendered or devoted” and the second is: “to surrender, or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.” These definitions seem to be talking about selfless acts. Now let me make myself clear – I am not trying to say that we should not pray for our personal needs, we should and God desires that we do. What I am saying is that it is the way that we pray that we need to consider.
Are we willing, as we pray for our needs to surrender them to God’s will? Are we prepared to recognize that He may and mostly likely does have something better in mind for us? Are we getting want confused with need? Are we willing to face a trial if it means something better in the long run?
What about our prayers for others? Are we willing to surrender our needs for someone else’s? Jesus prayed in the garden…yet not my will but Your will be done. I have said it before that is a scary thing to pray – that is a sacrifice of prayer.
During this season of Lent I am striving to offer a sacrifice of prayer, will you join me?
A prayer
Father – prayer is one of the ways we communicate with You, find fellowship with You, learn from You with. So often we use prayer to give you our shopping list – forgive us when we fail to make our prayers a sacrifice that is pleasing to you. Help us to surrender our needs and the needs of those for who we intercede to Your will. Thank you for hearing the prayers of Your servants may they be a pleasing to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 141:1-2
Sometimes we don’t take prayer seriously enough. Sometimes we use prayer to try and get what we want. For those of you who know me personally it is no secret that I really want a white, four-door - Toyota Tacoma pick-up. I have prayed for one to appear miraculously in my drive way. That is not what prayer is for. In today’s passage David wants his prayers to be like a sacrifice.
The dictionary provides a couple of definitions for the word ‘sacrifice’ that might help us with this idea of prayer as sacrifice. The first definition is: “A thing so surrendered or devoted” and the second is: “to surrender, or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.” These definitions seem to be talking about selfless acts. Now let me make myself clear – I am not trying to say that we should not pray for our personal needs, we should and God desires that we do. What I am saying is that it is the way that we pray that we need to consider.
Are we willing, as we pray for our needs to surrender them to God’s will? Are we prepared to recognize that He may and mostly likely does have something better in mind for us? Are we getting want confused with need? Are we willing to face a trial if it means something better in the long run?
What about our prayers for others? Are we willing to surrender our needs for someone else’s? Jesus prayed in the garden…yet not my will but Your will be done. I have said it before that is a scary thing to pray – that is a sacrifice of prayer.
During this season of Lent I am striving to offer a sacrifice of prayer, will you join me?
A prayer
Father – prayer is one of the ways we communicate with You, find fellowship with You, learn from You with. So often we use prayer to give you our shopping list – forgive us when we fail to make our prayers a sacrifice that is pleasing to you. Help us to surrender our needs and the needs of those for who we intercede to Your will. Thank you for hearing the prayers of Your servants may they be a pleasing to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Time for a Joy Party!
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:11-12
From morning prayers to complaint of life’s trials to a celebration – this is the journey Psalm 5 takes us on. In the opening verses of this Psalm David lays his requests before the Lord and then waits with expectation, knowing the God had never let him down. In the end David praises the LORD and declares that all who seek God’s provision and protection will also praise Him with the Joy that only He can give.
In our home when faced with the trials of life we often write our needs in a prayer and place them where we can see them so that we will keep them before the Lord and then we wait believing that even now the Lord is working, that he will show us favor and protect us.
Being sure that God never fails and that in his timing and according to His will, He will supply all that we need and much of what we want – we can and should be joyful. It is time to crank up praise and get the party started.
So this week no matter what you are facing – trials or good things – join me, consider yourselves invited to A Joy Party!
A prayer
Father - thank you for desiring to give those who call upon you every good thing. Thank you for being our shelter in the storms of life. Thank you for showing favor on us. You alone are worthy of all our praise. May our praises be filled with joy. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 5:11-12
From morning prayers to complaint of life’s trials to a celebration – this is the journey Psalm 5 takes us on. In the opening verses of this Psalm David lays his requests before the Lord and then waits with expectation, knowing the God had never let him down. In the end David praises the LORD and declares that all who seek God’s provision and protection will also praise Him with the Joy that only He can give.
In our home when faced with the trials of life we often write our needs in a prayer and place them where we can see them so that we will keep them before the Lord and then we wait believing that even now the Lord is working, that he will show us favor and protect us.
Being sure that God never fails and that in his timing and according to His will, He will supply all that we need and much of what we want – we can and should be joyful. It is time to crank up praise and get the party started.
So this week no matter what you are facing – trials or good things – join me, consider yourselves invited to A Joy Party!
A prayer
Father - thank you for desiring to give those who call upon you every good thing. Thank you for being our shelter in the storms of life. Thank you for showing favor on us. You alone are worthy of all our praise. May our praises be filled with joy. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, February 13, 2012
You're Surrounded!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
Life is tough, no doubt about that. The writer of Hebrews is reminding us that many of have gone before us – living out their faith even though they didn’t know how the promise would be kept. Many have lost their lives as a result of their testimony concerning Jesus. Yet it is not a message of fear it is a message of encouragement. Because we are surrounded by the faith of those who set the example of faith and gave their lives for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God we should continue in faith through the difficulties we face.
In Hebrews chapter 11 the writer takes us on a tour of the faith hall of fame and at the end he says: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-10).
Today’s passage encourages us to persevere, to keep our eye on goal of Jesus. God’s plans for us are greater than anything we can plan for ourselves – yet the road is not easy. He will demand much of us – He will ask us to step into the unknown. He will ask us for sacrifice. Jesus was the ultimate leader - He will not expect of us anything He himself was not willing to do, nor will He leave us to do it alone.
So when faced with a life situation that threatens your faith - that causes your heart to grow faint, remember those who have gone before you – especially Jesus. Stop and close your eyes and with your heart look into the faces of: Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Mary, Jesus, Stephen and all the others that have led the way.
Can you see them? Can you hear them cheering you on? They’ve got you surrounded.
A prayer
Father, thank you for the witness of those who have gone before us. May we feel the presence of Your son and all the heroes of faith as we face the difficulties of this life. May we give our own witness to encourage those around us to keep the faith and stay in the race for Your kingdom. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Life is tough, no doubt about that. The writer of Hebrews is reminding us that many of have gone before us – living out their faith even though they didn’t know how the promise would be kept. Many have lost their lives as a result of their testimony concerning Jesus. Yet it is not a message of fear it is a message of encouragement. Because we are surrounded by the faith of those who set the example of faith and gave their lives for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God we should continue in faith through the difficulties we face.
In Hebrews chapter 11 the writer takes us on a tour of the faith hall of fame and at the end he says: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-10).
Today’s passage encourages us to persevere, to keep our eye on goal of Jesus. God’s plans for us are greater than anything we can plan for ourselves – yet the road is not easy. He will demand much of us – He will ask us to step into the unknown. He will ask us for sacrifice. Jesus was the ultimate leader - He will not expect of us anything He himself was not willing to do, nor will He leave us to do it alone.
So when faced with a life situation that threatens your faith - that causes your heart to grow faint, remember those who have gone before you – especially Jesus. Stop and close your eyes and with your heart look into the faces of: Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Mary, Jesus, Stephen and all the others that have led the way.
Can you see them? Can you hear them cheering you on? They’ve got you surrounded.
A prayer
Father, thank you for the witness of those who have gone before us. May we feel the presence of Your son and all the heroes of faith as we face the difficulties of this life. May we give our own witness to encourage those around us to keep the faith and stay in the race for Your kingdom. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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