“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”
Psalm 126:2
Did I scare you? When I was a kid my grandma loved to scare us as we walked into her kitchen. She’s stand hidden just on the other side of the doorway and say boo as we walked through and then she’s have a good chuckle. This fun memory turned up in my head following a video clip we had seen at church. The clip was from the movie Monsters Inc – in the clip the big blue “monster” named Sulley is scared by a little human girl who finds her way into the monster world. She scares Sulley at first; but eventually they become friends and the monster world is changed. At church we saw this clip as part of message series about stewardship in which the idea was to answer the “monster” questions about money. Oh – did I scare you again? Sorry – this devotion is not about money, so you can calm down. So what is it about? It’s about love, it’s about laughter, and it’s about restoration and amazing life change.
This week’s passage from Psalm 126 is a song of celebration for the Hebrew people. It is a song of restoration and life change. The people who had been exiled and lived as captives in Babylon had finally been freed and allowed to return home. What a feeling of that must have been with each step they took toward home the fear, the doubt, the sadness they had experienced turned to relief and joy – the laughter welling up inside and pouring out as a song, giving them strength to rebuild their lives and follow after their God once again.
Scripture tells us Jesus wept, that he understood sorrow and loss. I have to believe that He also laughed – laughed, shaking His head as he walked away from some ridiculous encounter with the religious leaders of the day. Laughing as he sat at table enjoying a good meal. Laughing as His disciples shared stories of life change. Laughter is a powerful thing.
Back to Monsters Inc – in the beginning of the movie the screams of scared children powered the city the monsters lived in, but by the end that big blue monster Sulley - discovered that the laughter of those same children would provide far more power for the city than their screams ever would. Every ones lives were changed – the monsters no longer scare children, instead they made them laugh. The monsters no longer feared becoming contaminated by the children. The children who used to be afraid of the monster in the closet slept peacefully.
So BOO! Hope that made you laugh, I hope you will have many good laughs this week. I hope you will feel the power of love, joy, restoration and amazing life change when you do.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the gift of laughter. Thank you for the power that laughter has to change our mood, our day and our lives. Help us to see the humor of life, even in the midst of the storms we face. May we carry divine laughter with us wherever we go so those around us can experience that power. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
Glow In The Dark
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”
Philippians 2:14-16
It had been a long week, a long month really and this particular day had dawned dark and rainy – lest you be deceived, church work is not glamorous – its hard work and those of us called to it carry a burden in our hearts that drives us to do this, rather than something else. I am not complaining I love what I do – I love everything about it, but sometimes I can see the darkness that is trying to overwhelm our planet. As I thought about that on my way to the office I thought about how incredible our world really is and how God placed in nature all sorts of things to hold back the dark. Science calls these things bioluminescent. I call them glow in the dark – these plants, fish, reptiles and insects make light that pushes back the darkness around them.
Stars glow in the dark. God made them along with the moon so that night wouldn’t be too dark. In this week’s passage Paul is giving the church in Philippi a pep talk telling them to shine like stars in the dark world that they live in by living out the “word of life”. As I write this a great song by Jason Gray is playing on the radio it’s called Glow In The Dark. I love the chorus – it says: “Doesn’t matter how deep, how dark the night is – keep hoping, keep shining and they’ll see His light burning in your heart. And if the road gets rough, just keep your head up; let the world see what you’re made of that His love’s alive in your deepest parts. Like a flame, like a burning star you can shine right where you are – He made you to glow in the dark.” We could call it being spiritluminescent – we could say we are “glow in the dark” people.
Jesus talks about us being luminescent – The Voice puts it this way “You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it” (Matthew 5:16 VOICE).
The darkness is doing its best to overwhelm our world but John opens his gospel by telling us that “The light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 NIV). The Message says “The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out” and The Voice says of this light that “It cannot and will not be quenched.”
The darkness cannot overwhelm us because God has placed His light in us, He has made us spiritluminescent – so today and every day no matter what you are facing, let that light shine – because someone else needs to see that light shining in their darkness.
Let’s be glow in the dark people.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for sending Your light into our world through your Son. Thank you that it is a light that cannot be overwhelmed by the darkness in this world. Thank you that we have been made glow in the dark by the power of Your spirit living in us. Help us every day even in the midst of the dark storms we face to let that light shine so that others can find their way through the darkness to Your heart. In the name of Jesus who makes us glow in the dark, we pray – Amen.
Philippians 2:14-16
It had been a long week, a long month really and this particular day had dawned dark and rainy – lest you be deceived, church work is not glamorous – its hard work and those of us called to it carry a burden in our hearts that drives us to do this, rather than something else. I am not complaining I love what I do – I love everything about it, but sometimes I can see the darkness that is trying to overwhelm our planet. As I thought about that on my way to the office I thought about how incredible our world really is and how God placed in nature all sorts of things to hold back the dark. Science calls these things bioluminescent. I call them glow in the dark – these plants, fish, reptiles and insects make light that pushes back the darkness around them.
Stars glow in the dark. God made them along with the moon so that night wouldn’t be too dark. In this week’s passage Paul is giving the church in Philippi a pep talk telling them to shine like stars in the dark world that they live in by living out the “word of life”. As I write this a great song by Jason Gray is playing on the radio it’s called Glow In The Dark. I love the chorus – it says: “Doesn’t matter how deep, how dark the night is – keep hoping, keep shining and they’ll see His light burning in your heart. And if the road gets rough, just keep your head up; let the world see what you’re made of that His love’s alive in your deepest parts. Like a flame, like a burning star you can shine right where you are – He made you to glow in the dark.” We could call it being spiritluminescent – we could say we are “glow in the dark” people.
Jesus talks about us being luminescent – The Voice puts it this way “You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it” (Matthew 5:16 VOICE).
The darkness is doing its best to overwhelm our world but John opens his gospel by telling us that “The light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 NIV). The Message says “The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out” and The Voice says of this light that “It cannot and will not be quenched.”
The darkness cannot overwhelm us because God has placed His light in us, He has made us spiritluminescent – so today and every day no matter what you are facing, let that light shine – because someone else needs to see that light shining in their darkness.
Let’s be glow in the dark people.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for sending Your light into our world through your Son. Thank you that it is a light that cannot be overwhelmed by the darkness in this world. Thank you that we have been made glow in the dark by the power of Your spirit living in us. Help us every day even in the midst of the dark storms we face to let that light shine so that others can find their way through the darkness to Your heart. In the name of Jesus who makes us glow in the dark, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
It Is Not About Us
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”
Matthew 22:34-40
Raise your hand if you have grown up in church or have been following Jesus for a long time…my hand going up. Our church staff, lay leaders and myself had spent two days at the Leadership Institute, a conference for church leaders. As some of us sat in a session called Radical Hospitality, the speakers was talking about the importance of making church services guest friendly and how that means we need to set aside our personal preferences for how we “do church”. What I heard in my heart was that radical hospitality is a sacrifice and that for us as leaders or longtime followers of Jesus - who have the assurance of eternity in our hearts - it is not about us.
Scripture bears this idea out. In its simplest expression being a follower of Jesus means to love God and love others. This week’s passage makes that clear. It’s interesting that Jesus isn’t really saying anything new here - his statement to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love others as yourself echoes words spoken generations earlier, they are words the Pharisees would be familiar with. Leviticus 19:33-34 says: When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 6:5 says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This particular passage point us back to Deuteronomy 5 and the Ten Commandments, which in case you’ve never noticed easily divides into “Love God and Love Others.”
You see it is not about us – it is about God and others. Of course as followers of Jesus Sunday mornings have something for us – it equips us for loving God and others. But it is more for the first time guest, for the person looking for something to fill that hole in their heart – that can only be filled with Jesus.
What does radical hospitality look like? Maybe it means sitting up front and in the middle of a row so that first time guests can sit in the back. Maybe it means embracing a different style of music so someone else can find the forgiveness, mercy, grace and life everlasting we already have. Maybe it means embracing scary looking change without having all the answers. Maybe it means being more involved in the community outside the walls of the church building. Maybe it means actually be the body of Christ to a hurting world. What will radical hospitality look like for you?
I really don’t know who else this message is for. I know it is helping me process something I know is important for me as I help to lead through change, change that I know is necessary and that it’s not about me. If you don’t need this – that’s ok. If you are feeling a bit convicted – good, heed the still small voice that may be speaking to your heart and take action. If you are feeling a bit offended – I’m not going to apologize, I am going to ask that pray that God reveals something new, something that will take you to a new level of faith and lead you to radical hospitality that’s not about you.
It is not about us… It is about loving God and loving others.
A Prayer
Father, forgive us for turning your church into something you never intended it be – an exclusive club where things are done our way instead of your way. Help those of us who have been walking with Your Son for a long time to understand that it is not about us – that it is about You and welcoming others into your kingdom as part of your family. Grant us the wisdom and courage to show radical hospitality and to fulfill the purpose you have for us. In the name of Jesus who teaches radical hospitality, we pray – Amen.
Matthew 22:34-40
Raise your hand if you have grown up in church or have been following Jesus for a long time…my hand going up. Our church staff, lay leaders and myself had spent two days at the Leadership Institute, a conference for church leaders. As some of us sat in a session called Radical Hospitality, the speakers was talking about the importance of making church services guest friendly and how that means we need to set aside our personal preferences for how we “do church”. What I heard in my heart was that radical hospitality is a sacrifice and that for us as leaders or longtime followers of Jesus - who have the assurance of eternity in our hearts - it is not about us.
Scripture bears this idea out. In its simplest expression being a follower of Jesus means to love God and love others. This week’s passage makes that clear. It’s interesting that Jesus isn’t really saying anything new here - his statement to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love others as yourself echoes words spoken generations earlier, they are words the Pharisees would be familiar with. Leviticus 19:33-34 says: When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 6:5 says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. This particular passage point us back to Deuteronomy 5 and the Ten Commandments, which in case you’ve never noticed easily divides into “Love God and Love Others.”
You see it is not about us – it is about God and others. Of course as followers of Jesus Sunday mornings have something for us – it equips us for loving God and others. But it is more for the first time guest, for the person looking for something to fill that hole in their heart – that can only be filled with Jesus.
What does radical hospitality look like? Maybe it means sitting up front and in the middle of a row so that first time guests can sit in the back. Maybe it means embracing a different style of music so someone else can find the forgiveness, mercy, grace and life everlasting we already have. Maybe it means embracing scary looking change without having all the answers. Maybe it means being more involved in the community outside the walls of the church building. Maybe it means actually be the body of Christ to a hurting world. What will radical hospitality look like for you?
I really don’t know who else this message is for. I know it is helping me process something I know is important for me as I help to lead through change, change that I know is necessary and that it’s not about me. If you don’t need this – that’s ok. If you are feeling a bit convicted – good, heed the still small voice that may be speaking to your heart and take action. If you are feeling a bit offended – I’m not going to apologize, I am going to ask that pray that God reveals something new, something that will take you to a new level of faith and lead you to radical hospitality that’s not about you.
It is not about us… It is about loving God and loving others.
A Prayer
Father, forgive us for turning your church into something you never intended it be – an exclusive club where things are done our way instead of your way. Help those of us who have been walking with Your Son for a long time to understand that it is not about us – that it is about You and welcoming others into your kingdom as part of your family. Grant us the wisdom and courage to show radical hospitality and to fulfill the purpose you have for us. In the name of Jesus who teaches radical hospitality, we pray – Amen.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
He's Watching Over You
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121
I haven’t watch Dancing With the Stars since it’s early days but the season the world is watching as I write this has one “celebrity” dancer that I have been paying attention to. Perhaps it’s part of the Australian obsession, but more likely it is the back story of this young woman. 17 year-old Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin is that young woman and she is taking her life and the dance floor by storm. Dancing with her professional partner Derek Hough to Every Breath You Take, her most recent performance was an emotional tribute to her late father and her family. As I watched the segment on YouTube my thoughts turned to our heavenly Father.
It isn’t often that I use a whole chapter of Scripture but Psalm 121 seemed to speak into what my heart was thinking. Life isn't easy – we lose loved ones when we need them, jobs are lost, health fails, emotional and literal storms come – life can be a battering experience -Israel certainly could testify to the struggle.
In the midst of it the Maker of heaven and earth is watching over us, He never sleeps – he knows every breath we take because he has given us that breath. He knows when we have a sleepless night, he know the brokenness of our hearts when the world beats us up. When we slip He will be there to help us up. Just imagine what our lives would look like if He wasn’t protecting us. He sent His Son to make a way back to His Father, to show us how much the Father loves us and to let us know He is watching over us, that He sees us where we are and He hopes that we’ll want to be like Him.
For all of her 17 years, Bindi Irwin has wanted to be like her dad – I think he is probably very proud of her, I know her mom and little brother are you can see it in their faces. I want my heavenly Father to be proud of me – what about you?
He is watching over you, rest in the incredible fact that the Maker of everything is there for you no matter what you are going through, no matter where you are in life. Let that motivate you to be like Him.
A Prayer
Father, you know that there is so much in our world today that can cause us to slip, yet you are ready to catch us or pick us up - whatever we need. Help us to trust that love, when we feel worthless and alone. Help us to call to you. As you bring healing and protection to our lives, may we reflect all the love, care and protection you have given us to the world around us. In the name of Jesus who is our Way, we pray – Amen.
Psalm 121
I haven’t watch Dancing With the Stars since it’s early days but the season the world is watching as I write this has one “celebrity” dancer that I have been paying attention to. Perhaps it’s part of the Australian obsession, but more likely it is the back story of this young woman. 17 year-old Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin is that young woman and she is taking her life and the dance floor by storm. Dancing with her professional partner Derek Hough to Every Breath You Take, her most recent performance was an emotional tribute to her late father and her family. As I watched the segment on YouTube my thoughts turned to our heavenly Father.
It isn’t often that I use a whole chapter of Scripture but Psalm 121 seemed to speak into what my heart was thinking. Life isn't easy – we lose loved ones when we need them, jobs are lost, health fails, emotional and literal storms come – life can be a battering experience -Israel certainly could testify to the struggle.
In the midst of it the Maker of heaven and earth is watching over us, He never sleeps – he knows every breath we take because he has given us that breath. He knows when we have a sleepless night, he know the brokenness of our hearts when the world beats us up. When we slip He will be there to help us up. Just imagine what our lives would look like if He wasn’t protecting us. He sent His Son to make a way back to His Father, to show us how much the Father loves us and to let us know He is watching over us, that He sees us where we are and He hopes that we’ll want to be like Him.
For all of her 17 years, Bindi Irwin has wanted to be like her dad – I think he is probably very proud of her, I know her mom and little brother are you can see it in their faces. I want my heavenly Father to be proud of me – what about you?
He is watching over you, rest in the incredible fact that the Maker of everything is there for you no matter what you are going through, no matter where you are in life. Let that motivate you to be like Him.
A Prayer
Father, you know that there is so much in our world today that can cause us to slip, yet you are ready to catch us or pick us up - whatever we need. Help us to trust that love, when we feel worthless and alone. Help us to call to you. As you bring healing and protection to our lives, may we reflect all the love, care and protection you have given us to the world around us. In the name of Jesus who is our Way, we pray – Amen.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Don't Let Fear Determine Your Destiny
“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’”
Numbers 14:6-9
The Monster job search platform was running a commercial with the tag line “Don’t let fear determine your destiny” as I prepared to write this particular devotion. At the center of the commercial a young woman - whose career choice seems to go against conventional thinking – has found contentment in her choice, thanks to Monster of course. However, there is some truth to be found in that tag line. How often do we let fear keep us from being exactly who we are supposed to be, from being where we are supposed to be and from doing what we are supposed to be doing?
As I thought about that, the whole Biblical narrative that this week’s passage comes from came to mind. God using Moses, Aaron and Miriam had led the people out of Egypt. HE had been with them as they traveled to the edge of the Promised Land, HE had provided for them, everything they needed. They had witnessed miracle after miracle along the way. Now standing on the brink of the amazing life God had promised them, they rebelled because of they were afraid.
In this week’s passage, two of the men who had been on the “scouting” team – Joshua and Caleb passionately plea with their countrymen to fear not, to stay focused on God and not rebel against him. Unfortunately, their pleas fall on deaf ears – ears deafened by fear. Only Caleb and Joshua would live to see the Promise Land, their faith in the power of their God would see them safely to the land of milk and honey – they didn’t let fear determine their destiny.
What about you, Is God calling you to something new, something better, something outside your comfort zone? Will you be like Israelites who refused to take the land God wanted and was ready to give them or will you be like Joshua and Caleb ready to go whenever God gives the green light.
This world is a scary place and God likes calling us out of our comfort zones into something new and better – don’t let fear determine your destiny.
A Prayer
Father, you know how prone we are to fear. Be with us in a new way this week so that we are filled with your love that drives out fear. Be for us the courage we need to live an obedient and abundant life. Help us to live fearlessly in this scary world and in so doing shine the light of Christ. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Numbers 14:6-9
The Monster job search platform was running a commercial with the tag line “Don’t let fear determine your destiny” as I prepared to write this particular devotion. At the center of the commercial a young woman - whose career choice seems to go against conventional thinking – has found contentment in her choice, thanks to Monster of course. However, there is some truth to be found in that tag line. How often do we let fear keep us from being exactly who we are supposed to be, from being where we are supposed to be and from doing what we are supposed to be doing?
As I thought about that, the whole Biblical narrative that this week’s passage comes from came to mind. God using Moses, Aaron and Miriam had led the people out of Egypt. HE had been with them as they traveled to the edge of the Promised Land, HE had provided for them, everything they needed. They had witnessed miracle after miracle along the way. Now standing on the brink of the amazing life God had promised them, they rebelled because of they were afraid.
In this week’s passage, two of the men who had been on the “scouting” team – Joshua and Caleb passionately plea with their countrymen to fear not, to stay focused on God and not rebel against him. Unfortunately, their pleas fall on deaf ears – ears deafened by fear. Only Caleb and Joshua would live to see the Promise Land, their faith in the power of their God would see them safely to the land of milk and honey – they didn’t let fear determine their destiny.
What about you, Is God calling you to something new, something better, something outside your comfort zone? Will you be like Israelites who refused to take the land God wanted and was ready to give them or will you be like Joshua and Caleb ready to go whenever God gives the green light.
This world is a scary place and God likes calling us out of our comfort zones into something new and better – don’t let fear determine your destiny.
A Prayer
Father, you know how prone we are to fear. Be with us in a new way this week so that we are filled with your love that drives out fear. Be for us the courage we need to live an obedient and abundant life. Help us to live fearlessly in this scary world and in so doing shine the light of Christ. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Before and After
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 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 3:16-18
After seven months on the job it was time to make my office more reflective of who I am, of my preferences for color and style. I had already re-arranged some of the furniture and added a comfy chair with a side table. The biggest change would come by way of a fresh coat of paint. The brown walls and darker brown trim were being replaced with a rich smoky blue for the walls and cream for the trim. The change would not come over night, but it would happen slowly. However, each small change made a difference.
The Bible – both the Old and New Testaments – is filled with stories of lives transformed by the glorious power of the Living God. Moses went from being a murderer hiding in the desert to leader of the Hebrew people and his relationship with the God who had empowered him was so up close and personal, that he had to cover his face because it radiated God’s glory. Esther went from Jewish peasant girl to Persian Queen who would be so favored by her husband the king that her influence saved her people. Then there’s Paul author of this week’s passage.
Paul declares himself “the worst of all sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) yet the transformation of his life from zealous Pharisee set on destroying followers of The Way to sold out disciple of Christ is miraculous. In this week’s passage he had been talking about the differences between the “old” covenant based on the law and the “new” covenant in Christ and how Jesus removes the veil covering the hearts of anyone who turns to Him. All of us who call ourselves Christian reflect the glory of the risen Lord to some degree and according to Paul we “are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory…” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
This incredible transformation, available to everyone because of God’s great love is a process. Just like the transformation of my office happened over time, so our hearts are being made new day by day. Sure when someone decides to follow Christ some major changes take place, differences that might be noticed right away. As heart healing begins, how we look on the outside begins to change and those around us notice the difference, but they are just catching a glimpse of the change that is happening.
The before and after pictures of my office, clearly show the change and reflect me. I can’t wait for that day when the transformation of my life is complete and I can see the before and after pictures – I know the changes will be beyond anything I can imagine. What about you? Is Jesus transforming you, is He healing your heart? Does your life reflect the changes He is making? Are you excited to see the before and after pictures? If not, tell Him you need Him and ask Him for His glorious makeover – He is excited to see your before and after.
A Prayer
Father, you know we like seeing before and after pictures as old things are made new, thank you that Jesus through His Holy Spirit is the renovator of our lives and by His power our old, beat up and broken lives are made new from the inside out. In this world renovations are expensive and life renovations cost more than any of us could ever hope to pay – so thank you that Jesus paid the price and that all we have to do is ask Him to take over and make us new. Help us everyday to let the newness of our lives shine and bring You glory. In the name of Jesus, the Renovator of our hearts and lives, we pray – Amen.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18
After seven months on the job it was time to make my office more reflective of who I am, of my preferences for color and style. I had already re-arranged some of the furniture and added a comfy chair with a side table. The biggest change would come by way of a fresh coat of paint. The brown walls and darker brown trim were being replaced with a rich smoky blue for the walls and cream for the trim. The change would not come over night, but it would happen slowly. However, each small change made a difference.
The Bible – both the Old and New Testaments – is filled with stories of lives transformed by the glorious power of the Living God. Moses went from being a murderer hiding in the desert to leader of the Hebrew people and his relationship with the God who had empowered him was so up close and personal, that he had to cover his face because it radiated God’s glory. Esther went from Jewish peasant girl to Persian Queen who would be so favored by her husband the king that her influence saved her people. Then there’s Paul author of this week’s passage.
Paul declares himself “the worst of all sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) yet the transformation of his life from zealous Pharisee set on destroying followers of The Way to sold out disciple of Christ is miraculous. In this week’s passage he had been talking about the differences between the “old” covenant based on the law and the “new” covenant in Christ and how Jesus removes the veil covering the hearts of anyone who turns to Him. All of us who call ourselves Christian reflect the glory of the risen Lord to some degree and according to Paul we “are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory…” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
This incredible transformation, available to everyone because of God’s great love is a process. Just like the transformation of my office happened over time, so our hearts are being made new day by day. Sure when someone decides to follow Christ some major changes take place, differences that might be noticed right away. As heart healing begins, how we look on the outside begins to change and those around us notice the difference, but they are just catching a glimpse of the change that is happening.
The before and after pictures of my office, clearly show the change and reflect me. I can’t wait for that day when the transformation of my life is complete and I can see the before and after pictures – I know the changes will be beyond anything I can imagine. What about you? Is Jesus transforming you, is He healing your heart? Does your life reflect the changes He is making? Are you excited to see the before and after pictures? If not, tell Him you need Him and ask Him for His glorious makeover – He is excited to see your before and after.
A Prayer
Father, you know we like seeing before and after pictures as old things are made new, thank you that Jesus through His Holy Spirit is the renovator of our lives and by His power our old, beat up and broken lives are made new from the inside out. In this world renovations are expensive and life renovations cost more than any of us could ever hope to pay – so thank you that Jesus paid the price and that all we have to do is ask Him to take over and make us new. Help us everyday to let the newness of our lives shine and bring You glory. In the name of Jesus, the Renovator of our hearts and lives, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
From the Shore
“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him…and jumped into the water.”
John 21:4 & 7
I look forward to my weekend walks around the lake at our neighborhood park. In the early morning quiet, I can think, pray and get some exercise. As I walk along the shore I enjoy God’s creation and some of his amazing creatures – ducks, geese and a lone heron. I think of Jesus walking along the shore of a lake on the other side of the world so long ago, and all that he did and taught along those shores.
Three years before the scene described in this week’s passage, Jesus was walking along the shore, perhaps even along this same stretch of the shore when he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew – Jesus called them to follow Him and to become fishers of men. A bit further up the shore Jesus calls two more brothers to follow him. All four of these young men left their livelihoods behind to follow a stranger to who knew where and to fish for men (what did that even mean?), but they followed – how amazing is that?
Over the next three years, these four men along with another eight would witness some incredible things and be taught things that were difficult to understand but that would change their lives forever. The time was so short, I suppose they thought they had much more to learn from this man Jesus who they knew with all their hearts to be the Son of God – but He was dead – He had told them what would happen, He had told Peter he would deny Him, something Peter fiercely denied he would never do, but did just like Jesus had said.
When in this week’s passage we once again see Jesus on the shore, calling this time to his friends it was the third time the Risen Lord had appeared to spend some time with His friends, with the men he was leaving behind to continue the work He had for them. Peter so wanted to be with Jesus he jumped out of the boat and waded ashore. Scripture doesn’t say what Peter did when he reached Jesus on the shore – did he give in a hug or fall on his knees, did he ask for forgiveness? What we do know is that they all ate breakfast together and then Jesus and Peter had a short fierce talk that restores the relationship between Peter and Jesus and sets Peter firmly back on the path Jesus means for him to follow.
Where are you today, this week? Are you drifting on the sea of life? Have you heard Him call to you from the shore? Maybe you are doing your best to follow Him but need to hear His voice encouraging you on the way. Maybe you’ve allowed life to interfere and have turn from him – listen He’s calling you from the shore of your life - rush back to the shore and into His embrace – you won’t regret it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Jesus stands at the shore life’s sea and calls us to come to him on solid ground. You know that sometimes the winds of life make it hard to hear Him calling to us across the distance – give us ears and hearts that hear Him in the gale. Help us daily to follow after Him and to call to others from the shore so that they too can be changed by Your love. In the name of Jesus we pray – Amen.
John 21:4 & 7
I look forward to my weekend walks around the lake at our neighborhood park. In the early morning quiet, I can think, pray and get some exercise. As I walk along the shore I enjoy God’s creation and some of his amazing creatures – ducks, geese and a lone heron. I think of Jesus walking along the shore of a lake on the other side of the world so long ago, and all that he did and taught along those shores.
Three years before the scene described in this week’s passage, Jesus was walking along the shore, perhaps even along this same stretch of the shore when he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew – Jesus called them to follow Him and to become fishers of men. A bit further up the shore Jesus calls two more brothers to follow him. All four of these young men left their livelihoods behind to follow a stranger to who knew where and to fish for men (what did that even mean?), but they followed – how amazing is that?
Over the next three years, these four men along with another eight would witness some incredible things and be taught things that were difficult to understand but that would change their lives forever. The time was so short, I suppose they thought they had much more to learn from this man Jesus who they knew with all their hearts to be the Son of God – but He was dead – He had told them what would happen, He had told Peter he would deny Him, something Peter fiercely denied he would never do, but did just like Jesus had said.
When in this week’s passage we once again see Jesus on the shore, calling this time to his friends it was the third time the Risen Lord had appeared to spend some time with His friends, with the men he was leaving behind to continue the work He had for them. Peter so wanted to be with Jesus he jumped out of the boat and waded ashore. Scripture doesn’t say what Peter did when he reached Jesus on the shore – did he give in a hug or fall on his knees, did he ask for forgiveness? What we do know is that they all ate breakfast together and then Jesus and Peter had a short fierce talk that restores the relationship between Peter and Jesus and sets Peter firmly back on the path Jesus means for him to follow.
Where are you today, this week? Are you drifting on the sea of life? Have you heard Him call to you from the shore? Maybe you are doing your best to follow Him but need to hear His voice encouraging you on the way. Maybe you’ve allowed life to interfere and have turn from him – listen He’s calling you from the shore of your life - rush back to the shore and into His embrace – you won’t regret it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Jesus stands at the shore life’s sea and calls us to come to him on solid ground. You know that sometimes the winds of life make it hard to hear Him calling to us across the distance – give us ears and hearts that hear Him in the gale. Help us daily to follow after Him and to call to others from the shore so that they too can be changed by Your love. In the name of Jesus we pray – Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)