"I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5
There is a way to do life that is fruitful and plentiful. It is the way of being connected to Jesus. We need to remain in him, in his word, in his will, in his protection and love. That is the way to do life. Completely obedient to Jesus and his desires for us.
The thing that I am noticing is how absolutely difficult this is. Remain in me. 3 words. Simple command. Yet I know no one is good at this. We all are like the Israelites who for a season would turn back to God, and remain in him, and then as sure as day turns to night they would forsake him. This is our life. A life of turning away from God. We start to formulate our own plans and take action and forge a path for our lives. But, we turn from God to do this. It happens everywhere I look. It happens in your life. It happens in my life. It happens in church life. We turn from God's providential plan and pursue what we want.
You want to be appreciated and liked and cherished. You want to have your friends think so well of you. You want to be successful. And those desires we pursue at the expense of our relationship with God.
Original sin. We are still pursuing our agenda above God's. This is the tragedy of Satan, a once angelic identity in the courts of God forsaken because he thought "I will ascend to heaven, I will ascend my throne above the stars of God." (Isaiah 14:13) So he was cast down.
This is the struggle we still face. At the end of the day whose will are you really pursuing? Yours? Are you after your glory? Do you want others to think much of you? Do you want to be popular? Famous? Well liked? Admired? ...Or... are you pursuing the glory of God? Are you doing everything in your ability to make him look famous?
There is a result of disconnection from the vine... "he is a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (vs. 6)" It is not a pretty outcome. God wants you to desperately cling to to him. To remain in him. Then you will bear fruit. Then you will have a life that counts for something.
Isaiah 26:8 "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Your fame and renown are our desire. We want to glorify you our maker. Teach us to do that more.
With whom are you connected today? Are you connected to the life breathing, all powerful, all good Vine? Or are you connected to your pride? In ranks with Satan? Deceived to believe that you are pursuing your life when actually you are withering.
Lord help us to remain in you. Let us be bound and grafted so deeply into you, The Vine. Prune off of us those parts that think, "I could do this on my own, I am important, I am my own source of life." Prune that off and leave such deep scars that we wouldn't be so quick to pursue those devilish ambitions again. God don't let us puff ourselves up. Keep us... in you.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Combat Discouragement
Here are some amazing things that I have learned lately that keep me standing when the waves of discouragement crash against me. Those of you that have done Christianity for any amount of time can appreciate this because we do get discouraged. It is hard to crawl towards eternity... My progress is slow. I keep gravitating to the same sins. I would love to have a Damascus Road experience like Paul and never look back and never relapse into sin... I haven't had one. I keep sinning. That is discouraging. Life, as calculated as I try to make it, never works out the way I plan. That is discouraging. I fight with people that I love. That is discouraging. How do we battle discouragement and where do we go to find our joy? Let's take a minute to examine this battle. Maybe you feel so joyful right now that this looks like a different language. Read on. It would serve you well to have this in the back of your head for the "valleys" that await you.
I can only speak from my life and that is a life of ministry. Everyone is called to ministry (1 Peter 2:9) so hopefully we all can relate to this. My prayer for this article is that it will be helpful to you in whatever your circumstance, but my focus will be on the pressures that I feel as a result of ministry.
I would say that people called to the duty of overseeing ministries like pastors, shepherds, teachers, elders, missionaries, and the like feel a special weight. I could enumerated a whole lot of things that ministry can do to you to be discouraging but let me just echo what Paul has written and tell you that most pastors feel this... "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)" I understand that I am wrenching the text out of a context of extreme affliction and persecution. Nonetheless, I believe that faithful Christ honoring ministry is unpopular, uncool, and difficult. And even more so in church culture that wants so desperately to mimic lost culture. Paul felt a concern for the church(s), I feel that too (2 Corinthians 11:28).
Lets move forward... we face discouragement. Here are some thoughts that will help us combat being discouraged... First and foremost, God is on his throne. He is bigger than my biggest problem. Nothing takes him by surprise. He knows when I am upset. He sees me fail and fall down and it doesn't surprise him. He has a plan and he is working that plan out. It might take my whole life to understand how he is working but I know this, I am being transformed to be like his Son. I might endure a life of hardship (Jesus and Paul come to mind) yet it will be worth it to be faithful even if I am poor, needy, uncomfortable, unpopular, disregarded, disrespected, insignificant, and afflicted my whole life. It is worth it to remain faithful.
Also, another thing that helps is that life and ministry are mercies. John MacArthur made that clear for me. He points out that it is an honor and privilege to serve in whatever capacity God allows. I don't deserve my position. Neither do you. It is a mercy.
Thirdly, at least I am not Isaiah... remember the story of the prophet? Isaiah was called to speak to the Israelites on behalf of God. Sounds cool right? But, then God deals this crippling blow, "but your ministry will make them hate you and they won't respond to the message and they don't want to hear you. (Isaiah 6:9-13)" Pretty sucky calling if you ask me. But, he was faithful. He did his ministry well.
Furthermore, I am called to suffer and that helps make sense of life. "Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom. (Acts 14:22 ESV)" It is for my benefit that God is allowing me to feel discouraged or tested. "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)" God is making us faithful to him through many trials. He is developing us. He even uses our discouragement to shape us.
Lastly, it is ok to be discouraged. It happened to our heroes. Can you imagine having Demas abandon the ministry after watching so many come to Jesus(2 Tim 4:10)?! Can you imagine what it felt like to have one of your closest friends disown you three times in your greatest time of need?! Paul felt it. Our Messiah felt it. So, here is where we need to take our discouragement. The cross. Sit at the cross of Christ and tell him it is worth it to be discouraged for him. He holds you man! He upholds your life and even when you think it can't get any worse he is there and holding you up. He went through it. He waded through life and came out perfectly faithful to the end. Now you need to persevere in your faith. Tell your great Redeemer that even if you never see another blessing on this side of eternity you will continue to be faithful to him. If you can't pray with honesty for that then start by saying, "I want to want you more." Start there and see if God will not move in your heart. As you begin to see Jesus as more precious than your life then you can say, "We have this treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7)." What is the treasure? "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)." Why do we have it in silly earthen vessels like us(clay pots)? "To show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)." O' that more Christians could say that! That there would be a band of followers that wouldn't get blown over every time God doesn't grant their wishes! He wants our faith to be deep and rich and able to handle any discouragement that the Great Deciever throws at us. And that leads us to be able to sing, "I am 'sorrowful yet always rejoicing!' (2 Corinthians 6:10)"
Jesus we love you more than anything else... Lord we repent of the times when we allow our discouragement to seem bigger than your glory. You are enough. You are more precious than our comfort. You are more valuable than 80 years of living at peace. You are our desire. Help us to cherish you like we should. Help us to live like nothing matters besides you! Shut up our mouths before we can say one single bitter word.
O' Great God, we love you. We love you. We love you.
I can only speak from my life and that is a life of ministry. Everyone is called to ministry (1 Peter 2:9) so hopefully we all can relate to this. My prayer for this article is that it will be helpful to you in whatever your circumstance, but my focus will be on the pressures that I feel as a result of ministry.
I would say that people called to the duty of overseeing ministries like pastors, shepherds, teachers, elders, missionaries, and the like feel a special weight. I could enumerated a whole lot of things that ministry can do to you to be discouraging but let me just echo what Paul has written and tell you that most pastors feel this... "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)" I understand that I am wrenching the text out of a context of extreme affliction and persecution. Nonetheless, I believe that faithful Christ honoring ministry is unpopular, uncool, and difficult. And even more so in church culture that wants so desperately to mimic lost culture. Paul felt a concern for the church(s), I feel that too (2 Corinthians 11:28).
Lets move forward... we face discouragement. Here are some thoughts that will help us combat being discouraged... First and foremost, God is on his throne. He is bigger than my biggest problem. Nothing takes him by surprise. He knows when I am upset. He sees me fail and fall down and it doesn't surprise him. He has a plan and he is working that plan out. It might take my whole life to understand how he is working but I know this, I am being transformed to be like his Son. I might endure a life of hardship (Jesus and Paul come to mind) yet it will be worth it to be faithful even if I am poor, needy, uncomfortable, unpopular, disregarded, disrespected, insignificant, and afflicted my whole life. It is worth it to remain faithful.
Also, another thing that helps is that life and ministry are mercies. John MacArthur made that clear for me. He points out that it is an honor and privilege to serve in whatever capacity God allows. I don't deserve my position. Neither do you. It is a mercy.
Thirdly, at least I am not Isaiah... remember the story of the prophet? Isaiah was called to speak to the Israelites on behalf of God. Sounds cool right? But, then God deals this crippling blow, "but your ministry will make them hate you and they won't respond to the message and they don't want to hear you. (Isaiah 6:9-13)" Pretty sucky calling if you ask me. But, he was faithful. He did his ministry well.
Furthermore, I am called to suffer and that helps make sense of life. "Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom. (Acts 14:22 ESV)" It is for my benefit that God is allowing me to feel discouraged or tested. "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)" God is making us faithful to him through many trials. He is developing us. He even uses our discouragement to shape us.
Lastly, it is ok to be discouraged. It happened to our heroes. Can you imagine having Demas abandon the ministry after watching so many come to Jesus(2 Tim 4:10)?! Can you imagine what it felt like to have one of your closest friends disown you three times in your greatest time of need?! Paul felt it. Our Messiah felt it. So, here is where we need to take our discouragement. The cross. Sit at the cross of Christ and tell him it is worth it to be discouraged for him. He holds you man! He upholds your life and even when you think it can't get any worse he is there and holding you up. He went through it. He waded through life and came out perfectly faithful to the end. Now you need to persevere in your faith. Tell your great Redeemer that even if you never see another blessing on this side of eternity you will continue to be faithful to him. If you can't pray with honesty for that then start by saying, "I want to want you more." Start there and see if God will not move in your heart. As you begin to see Jesus as more precious than your life then you can say, "We have this treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7)." What is the treasure? "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)." Why do we have it in silly earthen vessels like us(clay pots)? "To show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)." O' that more Christians could say that! That there would be a band of followers that wouldn't get blown over every time God doesn't grant their wishes! He wants our faith to be deep and rich and able to handle any discouragement that the Great Deciever throws at us. And that leads us to be able to sing, "I am 'sorrowful yet always rejoicing!' (2 Corinthians 6:10)"
Jesus we love you more than anything else... Lord we repent of the times when we allow our discouragement to seem bigger than your glory. You are enough. You are more precious than our comfort. You are more valuable than 80 years of living at peace. You are our desire. Help us to cherish you like we should. Help us to live like nothing matters besides you! Shut up our mouths before we can say one single bitter word.
O' Great God, we love you. We love you. We love you.
Monday, October 27, 2008
John 14- If You Love Me
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth." (vs. 15-17)
This is tough. Because the issue here is allegiance. Jesus shows us that our disobedience is not simply an act of sin... It is a lack of love. When you disobey what you know to be true and right and what Jesus wants, then you are telling him with your actions that you love your sin more than you love him.
I wish it didn't equate like that. I like to belittle my sin to try and make it seem petty or insignificant. But, when put into perspective it is a huge slap in the face of my Jesus. It is a disregard for him. Its a lack of caring or honoring him. Its hurtful. Its dumb.
No wonder God so aptly chose the illustration of an unfaithful wife to characterize Israel and his bride the Church. We are unfaithful. We look at the world and lust after it like a brazen harlot looks at other men. When we sin against Jesus we are leaping into the arms of our lovers and turning our backs on Jesus, our faithful, provider, lover, redeemer, husband.
But the command to love comes with a promise: The Spirit of truth. Jesus not only asks us to love him and to show faithfulness to him, he also gives us the means to do it. He puts his Spirit in us to help us to love the things that he loves and abhor the things that he hates. So, lets take a few minutes today and ask that the Spirit of truth would reveal in us our lust for the world and that he would be faithful to abolish those strongholds.
This is tough. Because the issue here is allegiance. Jesus shows us that our disobedience is not simply an act of sin... It is a lack of love. When you disobey what you know to be true and right and what Jesus wants, then you are telling him with your actions that you love your sin more than you love him.
I wish it didn't equate like that. I like to belittle my sin to try and make it seem petty or insignificant. But, when put into perspective it is a huge slap in the face of my Jesus. It is a disregard for him. Its a lack of caring or honoring him. Its hurtful. Its dumb.
No wonder God so aptly chose the illustration of an unfaithful wife to characterize Israel and his bride the Church. We are unfaithful. We look at the world and lust after it like a brazen harlot looks at other men. When we sin against Jesus we are leaping into the arms of our lovers and turning our backs on Jesus, our faithful, provider, lover, redeemer, husband.
But the command to love comes with a promise: The Spirit of truth. Jesus not only asks us to love him and to show faithfulness to him, he also gives us the means to do it. He puts his Spirit in us to help us to love the things that he loves and abhor the things that he hates. So, lets take a few minutes today and ask that the Spirit of truth would reveal in us our lust for the world and that he would be faithful to abolish those strongholds.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Discouragement
I don't walk around on cloud nine all the time singing the praises of Jesus while unaffected by life. Last night we had one of the most trying nights of jr high ministry that I have been a part of. It hit me hard... I was bitter, I was upset, I was discouraged. There are things that we need to do better and more efficiently and we will change them to help those nights go smoother. We definitely are not throwing in the towel and expecting youth group to be like that every week. But, I would be amiss if I told you that I think it will always be peachy.
Youth leaders know this. Leading a small group is hard. I know that discouragement attacks my leaders regularly as they deal with the pressures of trying to help students become like Jesus. Or more realistically if they can simply get the group to cooperate for 20 minutes!? I remember the first time I led a 3rd grade small group I would finish a weekend as a wreck. I was so disappointed with my inability to lead a bunch of kids that I would physically feel ill. This was 8 years ago. Now one of those students is a senior in our youth group and I am confident that God is going to do amazing things through her life. Nonetheless, it can be very trying and discouraging at times.
Students also feel this discouragement... life is throwing fists at you from every angle. Whether it is a sibling that you cannot agree with to save your life or your parents don't see eye to eye with you. School work is mounting and the pressures to do well are too much. Your job is expecting so much from you and you barely have time to spend with friends. Then on top of this you are supposed to be a demonstration of Christ to the world. Come on God, don't you think that is a bit much?
Not really, actually God is right there beside us in all of it. I am so thankful that we have a high priest who can sympathize (Hebrews 2:17). That our God took on our human nature and all the tough things that come with it. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3)." If you read through the gospels you can see that Jesus gets tired, gets doubted, is hated, is rejected, is always second guessed, his family and friends think he is crazy, his closes companions abandon him, one of his friends betrays him, his Father abandons and punishes him for things he did not commit. God knows what you are going through and he can sympathize. Jesus felt the pressure of discouragement. He knows what it feels like to be utterly discouraged.
I know those feelings. I can relate. And I am sure you can too... but friends, stand strong, keep your head up. God has not abandoned you or forsaken you. Clearly he loves you. He demonstrated his love in this; while you were still a sinner Christ died for you (Romans 5:8). Look on the cross and draw your strength there. So you can say with the apostle Paul "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... (1 Corinthians 2:10)" This may seem like a stretch for you friend but please pray that even in the midst of discouragement that the cross would be enough. It is. If you are feeling overwhelmed it is because you have taken your eyes off of Jesus and you are allowing the Great Deceiver to influence you to think that Jesus is not enough for your problem. He is. He always will be.
Youth leaders know this. Leading a small group is hard. I know that discouragement attacks my leaders regularly as they deal with the pressures of trying to help students become like Jesus. Or more realistically if they can simply get the group to cooperate for 20 minutes!? I remember the first time I led a 3rd grade small group I would finish a weekend as a wreck. I was so disappointed with my inability to lead a bunch of kids that I would physically feel ill. This was 8 years ago. Now one of those students is a senior in our youth group and I am confident that God is going to do amazing things through her life. Nonetheless, it can be very trying and discouraging at times.
Students also feel this discouragement... life is throwing fists at you from every angle. Whether it is a sibling that you cannot agree with to save your life or your parents don't see eye to eye with you. School work is mounting and the pressures to do well are too much. Your job is expecting so much from you and you barely have time to spend with friends. Then on top of this you are supposed to be a demonstration of Christ to the world. Come on God, don't you think that is a bit much?
Not really, actually God is right there beside us in all of it. I am so thankful that we have a high priest who can sympathize (Hebrews 2:17). That our God took on our human nature and all the tough things that come with it. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3)." If you read through the gospels you can see that Jesus gets tired, gets doubted, is hated, is rejected, is always second guessed, his family and friends think he is crazy, his closes companions abandon him, one of his friends betrays him, his Father abandons and punishes him for things he did not commit. God knows what you are going through and he can sympathize. Jesus felt the pressure of discouragement. He knows what it feels like to be utterly discouraged.
I know those feelings. I can relate. And I am sure you can too... but friends, stand strong, keep your head up. God has not abandoned you or forsaken you. Clearly he loves you. He demonstrated his love in this; while you were still a sinner Christ died for you (Romans 5:8). Look on the cross and draw your strength there. So you can say with the apostle Paul "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing... (1 Corinthians 2:10)" This may seem like a stretch for you friend but please pray that even in the midst of discouragement that the cross would be enough. It is. If you are feeling overwhelmed it is because you have taken your eyes off of Jesus and you are allowing the Great Deceiver to influence you to think that Jesus is not enough for your problem. He is. He always will be.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
John 14- More Power
Jesus is unpacking his divine nature. That he is God. That the Father is in him and he in the Father. He also says that anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. This chapter is chock full of all sorts of profound stuff...
But, then he says, "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name , so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (John 14:12,13)"
What?! We can do what Jesus did? Even greater things? That is a pretty earth shaking statement. That we as believers can do what Jesus did... think about the ministry of Jesus and how he healed people, and raised the dead, and went toe to toe with pharisees and scribes, and walked on water, and made the blind see, and calmed the storm!? Now he extends that authority to me? And says I'll do even greater things? He must not know us very well. Because honestly we hardly do the Sunday church thing very well. It is a miracle if I wake up feeling compassion for others or loving others. And what a stretch it would be for me to see God move like that in my life... or would it?
What Jesus is saying is that he is sending his Spirit to us and it is for our benefit that he leaves and that we receive the Spirit... That he will give us this supernatural ability to be like him to glorify God. So people look at our lives and are floored by...GOD. The problem most of us have is we are laboring to make us look like better Christians for our sake. Look at the mission trips I've done or the great things that I am doing. At the end of verse 13 Jesus says that the point is to glorify the Father not us. So, we need to ask for that anointing. We need to ask for more power and authority so we can better glorify God.
My life is pretty lame in light of this text. I know that there is so much more available to me and I think the issue is that I am not praying for more of my life to glorify God. When my aim becomes simply glorifying God then He will pour out the anointing. But, if my life continues to be about me than I can expect to see little power.
So, pray for your life to glorify the Father and sit back and watch as God does miraculous things through you.
But, then he says, "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name , so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. (John 14:12,13)"
What?! We can do what Jesus did? Even greater things? That is a pretty earth shaking statement. That we as believers can do what Jesus did... think about the ministry of Jesus and how he healed people, and raised the dead, and went toe to toe with pharisees and scribes, and walked on water, and made the blind see, and calmed the storm!? Now he extends that authority to me? And says I'll do even greater things? He must not know us very well. Because honestly we hardly do the Sunday church thing very well. It is a miracle if I wake up feeling compassion for others or loving others. And what a stretch it would be for me to see God move like that in my life... or would it?
What Jesus is saying is that he is sending his Spirit to us and it is for our benefit that he leaves and that we receive the Spirit... That he will give us this supernatural ability to be like him to glorify God. So people look at our lives and are floored by...GOD. The problem most of us have is we are laboring to make us look like better Christians for our sake. Look at the mission trips I've done or the great things that I am doing. At the end of verse 13 Jesus says that the point is to glorify the Father not us. So, we need to ask for that anointing. We need to ask for more power and authority so we can better glorify God.
My life is pretty lame in light of this text. I know that there is so much more available to me and I think the issue is that I am not praying for more of my life to glorify God. When my aim becomes simply glorifying God then He will pour out the anointing. But, if my life continues to be about me than I can expect to see little power.
So, pray for your life to glorify the Father and sit back and watch as God does miraculous things through you.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Identity
If you weren't able to come to 6 o.clock this week we were looking at the concept of identity. I personally believe that identity is huge. We exhaust so much of our physical and emotional energy on what others think of us that it is ridiculous. But, is this the way a Christian should think or act? I don't believe so.
There are two people that have spoken largely to me about my identity and they are Jesus and Paul. They both have told me the same thing.
I am identified with Christ.
In Colossians 3 we are told that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. That my life is Christ.
Jesus says it this way, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)" In other words if we try so hard to manufacture our lives to be what we want, then we forfeit them. But, if we lay our lives at the foot of the cross we get doubly blessed. One, we get God for eternity. And two, we get a better more fulfilling purpose filled life here.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)"
We literally lay down our lives to take up Christ's life and mission. That is my identity. Being identified with Christ.
Lastly, we can waste a lot of energy on trying to be cool or well liked or well known or successful. We can spend our whole lives achieving those things. But in the end status doesn't matter and popularity doesn't matter and everything doesn't matter except knowing Christ and making him known.
So, to apply this I think we have to stop wasting so much energy on things that make us look good. And we have to start focusing our lives on what makes Jesus look Great.
There are two people that have spoken largely to me about my identity and they are Jesus and Paul. They both have told me the same thing.
I am identified with Christ.
In Colossians 3 we are told that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. That my life is Christ.
Jesus says it this way, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)" In other words if we try so hard to manufacture our lives to be what we want, then we forfeit them. But, if we lay our lives at the foot of the cross we get doubly blessed. One, we get God for eternity. And two, we get a better more fulfilling purpose filled life here.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)"
We literally lay down our lives to take up Christ's life and mission. That is my identity. Being identified with Christ.
Lastly, we can waste a lot of energy on trying to be cool or well liked or well known or successful. We can spend our whole lives achieving those things. But in the end status doesn't matter and popularity doesn't matter and everything doesn't matter except knowing Christ and making him known.
So, to apply this I think we have to stop wasting so much energy on things that make us look good. And we have to start focusing our lives on what makes Jesus look Great.
John 13- Real Authority
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God." -John 13:3
Lately I have been floored by God and namely Jesus. We have this tendency as casual American Christians to belittle God to the tune of, he is my Jehovah Rafa, my great provider. I sing a song and he dances. I want this... so God provides and if I am not getting what I think I want or deserve then maybe I need to pray harder and shake down, press down, and running over a good measure will be poured into my lap (Luke 6:38 butchered on purpose). We think we can just ask and it will be given. We think that the whole point of Christianity is to be a better person so God can bless us MORE.
Friends, this is not the God of the Bible nor the goal of Christianity. When I read the Bible I am constantly reminded of my nothingness and God's greatness. He is unquestionably perfect. He is powerful. He is magnificent. He is God. And I am just a little man on a planet that God spoke into existence. Hopefully, God will show you a glimpse of his glory that can only be seen from the back and live (Exodus 33:20-23). And that glimpse will shake you free from a small view of God and a big view of you.
Jesus was about to be betrayed and murdered and yet what sustained him was a knowledge of his absolute authority and power. Look at verse 4 and how it starts with "So..."
Jesus because he knew his own authority got up and washed his disciple's feet and carried on as usual and knew also that these actions would lead to his death on a cross. Do you have a big enough understanding of God to be able to say in the midst of calamity that God is in charge and he is good?
The brokenness of so many christians today is that they neither know God or want to know him... They have a small understanding of god. Please pray that you could see the Greatness of God written all over His Scriptures.
Lately I have been floored by God and namely Jesus. We have this tendency as casual American Christians to belittle God to the tune of, he is my Jehovah Rafa, my great provider. I sing a song and he dances. I want this... so God provides and if I am not getting what I think I want or deserve then maybe I need to pray harder and shake down, press down, and running over a good measure will be poured into my lap (Luke 6:38 butchered on purpose). We think we can just ask and it will be given. We think that the whole point of Christianity is to be a better person so God can bless us MORE.
Friends, this is not the God of the Bible nor the goal of Christianity. When I read the Bible I am constantly reminded of my nothingness and God's greatness. He is unquestionably perfect. He is powerful. He is magnificent. He is God. And I am just a little man on a planet that God spoke into existence. Hopefully, God will show you a glimpse of his glory that can only be seen from the back and live (Exodus 33:20-23). And that glimpse will shake you free from a small view of God and a big view of you.
Jesus was about to be betrayed and murdered and yet what sustained him was a knowledge of his absolute authority and power. Look at verse 4 and how it starts with "So..."
Jesus because he knew his own authority got up and washed his disciple's feet and carried on as usual and knew also that these actions would lead to his death on a cross. Do you have a big enough understanding of God to be able to say in the midst of calamity that God is in charge and he is good?
The brokenness of so many christians today is that they neither know God or want to know him... They have a small understanding of god. Please pray that you could see the Greatness of God written all over His Scriptures.
Believe Conference Revisited
Left to right: Alexis, Natalie, Kylie, Ashley(Leader), Collin, Ryan (seated), Jake (Leader), Mini me (Kory... hiding), CoryWe had a blast at the Believe Conference in Chicago. The teaching was great and it was on the prophet Jeremiah. It was good and the kids loved the artist, illusionist, and stunt guy. It was high energy and little sleep.
I am very thankful that there was a Starbucks in the convention center and there was also coffee at the concession stand. It was a God send. I can't keep up with those little bundles of energy.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Believe
Today I am taking off to Chicago with 6 of our jr high students and a couple of capable leaders to attend the believe conference.
It is going to be AWESOME!
see you in a couple days
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Student Issues
Over the next few weeks, Lord willing, I plan on unfolding some pretty pressing issues in the life of a student... I am pleading for your prayers as I wrestle with God for His messages for the students. Here is an partial list of some of the things we are hoping to address:
1)Self Image
2)God's plan/ purpose for them
3)Sexual sin: the danger of lust, the power of temptation, and the pitfall of sin
4)Depression
5)Drinking and Partying
*Jr High will not tackle these topics in the same amount of depth or detail.
**Drinking and Partying will not be discussed with Jr High.
1)Self Image
2)God's plan/ purpose for them
3)Sexual sin: the danger of lust, the power of temptation, and the pitfall of sin
4)Depression
5)Drinking and Partying
*Jr High will not tackle these topics in the same amount of depth or detail.
**Drinking and Partying will not be discussed with Jr High.
John 13- Love
"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he know showed them the full extent of his love." (John 13:1)
Jesus is the supreme example of grace and love... He humbled himself and came to this world (Philippians 2). Then he spent all of his time with his disciples and 'the sick'. He is about to have his last super with 12 people that are going to abandon him in his greatest hours of need. One of them will utterly betray him. One of them will completely deny him. And yet the Bible says that he shows the complete extent of his love. Or in another version, 'he loved them to the last.'
I have a couple questions. 1) How is it that Jesus so relentlessly loved a group of flawed people? 2) Have I shown anyone that kind of love ever?
I cannot understand the way that Jesus is treated by his followers and yet he completely loves them. Then when I let my thoughts move toward myself I am completely staggered by the fact that Jesus loves me like that!? I have done no good thing to deserve his grace and mercy and love. Nothing. You can examine and cross examine my life and you will find that I am worse than Peter or Judas. I am a sinner and have done nothing to merit the kindness of God. Yet he loves me. Relentlessly.
Then, this verse makes me notice how insanely selfish I am. Jesus loved these guys that really are so undeserving (myself included). And I hardly love anyone other than myself. I barely make time for others in my life. I am consumed by Cory Williams and what I want to do. Jesus spent all his time with these guys... every minute. And, he actually loved them. This is not me and that needs to change.
Does the love of Christ stir your heart? Are you aware of how little you deserve from God and how he goes to any length to demonstrate his love to you?
Do you genuinely love others like you love yourself? Can you love people even when you know they have or will wrong you? Jesus did.
Jesus is the supreme example of grace and love... He humbled himself and came to this world (Philippians 2). Then he spent all of his time with his disciples and 'the sick'. He is about to have his last super with 12 people that are going to abandon him in his greatest hours of need. One of them will utterly betray him. One of them will completely deny him. And yet the Bible says that he shows the complete extent of his love. Or in another version, 'he loved them to the last.'
I have a couple questions. 1) How is it that Jesus so relentlessly loved a group of flawed people? 2) Have I shown anyone that kind of love ever?
I cannot understand the way that Jesus is treated by his followers and yet he completely loves them. Then when I let my thoughts move toward myself I am completely staggered by the fact that Jesus loves me like that!? I have done no good thing to deserve his grace and mercy and love. Nothing. You can examine and cross examine my life and you will find that I am worse than Peter or Judas. I am a sinner and have done nothing to merit the kindness of God. Yet he loves me. Relentlessly.
Then, this verse makes me notice how insanely selfish I am. Jesus loved these guys that really are so undeserving (myself included). And I hardly love anyone other than myself. I barely make time for others in my life. I am consumed by Cory Williams and what I want to do. Jesus spent all his time with these guys... every minute. And, he actually loved them. This is not me and that needs to change.
Does the love of Christ stir your heart? Are you aware of how little you deserve from God and how he goes to any length to demonstrate his love to you?
Do you genuinely love others like you love yourself? Can you love people even when you know they have or will wrong you? Jesus did.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Further Thoughts on Personal Holiness
On Sunday night we addressed this issue of Holiness... I felt a strong urge to think and preach about such an important topic. It is a real struggle that all Christians must face up to and have at least a little understanding of.... what does it mean when the bible says, "be holy because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)" Or, what does the writer of Hebrews mean when he says, "without holiness no one will see God. (Heb 12:14)" And then how do you reconcile those two verses to the fact that you sin?
The reality is that we are in good company... The apostle Paul (my hero) struggled with this in Romans 7:14- Romans 8. He later points out that no one is without sin, especially him, "not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12). None have obtained perfection on this side of eternity. It is a process that we are going through that the bible terms sanctification. God is taking us through a process of making us more like His Son as we struggle with sin.
The key to this is a proper understanding of Romans 8:13. "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (vs 12-13)" So, if you live according to the sinful nature and just dive into sin over and over again you will die. But, if by the spirit you somehow kill the misdeeds, the sin, you will live. The picture that this gave me is one of intense wrestling. I think about the stubborn goats that my parents have at the tree farm and how I used to, with my friends, try to catch them for fun. It was hard and they were resilient. Imagine if they knew I was trying to kill them. And I physically had to take them to the cross... it would be extremely difficult. That is what I think of when I talk about wrestling sin to the cross.
But, I think I missed the point on Sunday night. 'Great Cory, simply wrestle sin to the cross... sounds easy.' I even said that the means for this is prayer. Wrestling with prayer. But, I think there is more to be said of the phrase Paul uses, 'by the Spirit.' Telling you to wrestle your sin to the cross is about as helpful as telling a jr high boy not to have sex until you are married. It is good advise but it isn't very helpful for a boy that has a million hormones shooting through his body. His desires are telling him one thing and that advise doesn't give him anything substantial to work with. It doesn't get at the heart of the matter.
So, for the sake of our holiness, lets try to get at the heart of the matter. When a desire creeps up on us... the struggle that occurs is twofold. 1) We desire to indulge 2) We know it is wrong. The problem is that knowing it is wrong is seldom a strong enough combatant to help us to refrain from that desire. For example knowing that gluttony is wrong hardly helps me do anything about the fact that cheesecake is so good and tasty and I could eat the whole thing! What we need to do is fight by the Spirit. The Spirit is our sword(Ephesians 6) and is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). In this illustration Paul gives us, this is our only offensive tool for combat. Everything else is defensive in nature but the sword is our offensive tool. Now how do we mightily use our sword. I would say by faith. "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). "I have fought the good fight of faith. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). It is by faith that we win and it is our sword that we use.
So, not only do we wrestle our sin to the cross. Our means of fighting it is by the sword of the Spirit (the Word) teaching us to have faith in God. What happens too often in our Christian walk is that the results aren't immediate enough to quench the desires of a very real and immediate sin. Our faith is weak. A desire comes up, our sword is sheathed. Most likely sitting at home dusty on a shelf. We don't have enough faith that God is better than our desire. So, we sin. The problem is that our faith is weak.
We pursue our fleeting pleasures in replace of being satisfied eternally in God. But God is better and greater... we need to use the word to remind us of that! Last night I was reading 1 Kings and I was floored by how great God truly is. When I remember that his benefits are never ending.
When we sin our actions are saying that we want to sin more than we want God... now if you have a right understanding of the glory of God then it makes sin less appealing. Use your sword.
So, I am not saying simply abstain from sin and when you encounter it wrestle it to the cross. I am saying replace your desire to sin with something greater, namely God himself.
The reality is that we are in good company... The apostle Paul (my hero) struggled with this in Romans 7:14- Romans 8. He later points out that no one is without sin, especially him, "not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12). None have obtained perfection on this side of eternity. It is a process that we are going through that the bible terms sanctification. God is taking us through a process of making us more like His Son as we struggle with sin.
The key to this is a proper understanding of Romans 8:13. "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (vs 12-13)" So, if you live according to the sinful nature and just dive into sin over and over again you will die. But, if by the spirit you somehow kill the misdeeds, the sin, you will live. The picture that this gave me is one of intense wrestling. I think about the stubborn goats that my parents have at the tree farm and how I used to, with my friends, try to catch them for fun. It was hard and they were resilient. Imagine if they knew I was trying to kill them. And I physically had to take them to the cross... it would be extremely difficult. That is what I think of when I talk about wrestling sin to the cross.
But, I think I missed the point on Sunday night. 'Great Cory, simply wrestle sin to the cross... sounds easy.' I even said that the means for this is prayer. Wrestling with prayer. But, I think there is more to be said of the phrase Paul uses, 'by the Spirit.' Telling you to wrestle your sin to the cross is about as helpful as telling a jr high boy not to have sex until you are married. It is good advise but it isn't very helpful for a boy that has a million hormones shooting through his body. His desires are telling him one thing and that advise doesn't give him anything substantial to work with. It doesn't get at the heart of the matter.
So, for the sake of our holiness, lets try to get at the heart of the matter. When a desire creeps up on us... the struggle that occurs is twofold. 1) We desire to indulge 2) We know it is wrong. The problem is that knowing it is wrong is seldom a strong enough combatant to help us to refrain from that desire. For example knowing that gluttony is wrong hardly helps me do anything about the fact that cheesecake is so good and tasty and I could eat the whole thing! What we need to do is fight by the Spirit. The Spirit is our sword(Ephesians 6) and is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). In this illustration Paul gives us, this is our only offensive tool for combat. Everything else is defensive in nature but the sword is our offensive tool. Now how do we mightily use our sword. I would say by faith. "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). "I have fought the good fight of faith. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). It is by faith that we win and it is our sword that we use.
So, not only do we wrestle our sin to the cross. Our means of fighting it is by the sword of the Spirit (the Word) teaching us to have faith in God. What happens too often in our Christian walk is that the results aren't immediate enough to quench the desires of a very real and immediate sin. Our faith is weak. A desire comes up, our sword is sheathed. Most likely sitting at home dusty on a shelf. We don't have enough faith that God is better than our desire. So, we sin. The problem is that our faith is weak.
We pursue our fleeting pleasures in replace of being satisfied eternally in God. But God is better and greater... we need to use the word to remind us of that! Last night I was reading 1 Kings and I was floored by how great God truly is. When I remember that his benefits are never ending.
When we sin our actions are saying that we want to sin more than we want God... now if you have a right understanding of the glory of God then it makes sin less appealing. Use your sword.
So, I am not saying simply abstain from sin and when you encounter it wrestle it to the cross. I am saying replace your desire to sin with something greater, namely God himself.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Holiness
I recently stumbled upon an amazing pastor and writer named Thabiti Anyabwile and this is a stunning quote by him:
"There is a connection between holiness and the glory of God, that where there is holiness in God's people, God's glory is pleased to dwell. Where that holiness is abandoned, so abandons God that place... that people."
Meditate on that for a minute today... In what areas of your life have you abandoned holiness? Understand that if you want more of God that he requires more holiness... He not only requires holiness but gives you the means to achieve it, His Son.
"There is a connection between holiness and the glory of God, that where there is holiness in God's people, God's glory is pleased to dwell. Where that holiness is abandoned, so abandons God that place... that people."
Meditate on that for a minute today... In what areas of your life have you abandoned holiness? Understand that if you want more of God that he requires more holiness... He not only requires holiness but gives you the means to achieve it, His Son.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Reason For My Blogging
Several months ago I recognized that 30 minutes on a Sunday or Wednesday is not enough... I am not a wordy person. Even when I preach I tend to be brief... My first week here at Central my friend Erik asked me what I thought about preaching for the long haul... "I wonder how you will like being Central's youth pastor after preaching 52 weeks in a row," he asked? Let me just say that the bible is full! There is much to be said and as I learn I desire to share. Even though I don't use many words their is so much to be said and taught and lived out.
When I stepped into this role it could be said that there was, "a famine of the hearing of the words of the Lord(Amos 8:11)." The students hadn't had a full-time pastor in months. They did have a rotation of teachers coming in but it seemed that a def ear was given to these teachers because teaching was inconsistent and disjointed... I was one of those teachers.
So, as soon as I began my current role I was anxious to share so much... but, due to time I only have one time a week with the jr high and one time with the sr high. So, thanks to technology I am able to share more and even add a depth to what has been said during our services.
Another reason that I blog is that it sharpens me. Blogging keeps me thinking and writing clearly and biblicaly. It makes me more diligent in the scriptures and gives me more experience in expounding texts. So, I am thankful for all that I have learned in the previous months and anxious about what we learn together as we continue to search other books of the bible.
I am aware of the dangers of blogging. A recent article on Desiring God talked about the danger of blogging and desiring the praise of man. It is not unique to blogging but rather is a danger of any public limelight. It can happen in preaching, or writing, or whatever, but it is a very real and dangerous threat. Let me articulate that I do feel those cravings. I would love to have people reading and commenting and expressing to me how my writing has helped them grow spiritually... but God made this site obscure. Our URL, centralstudentsministry.blogspot.com, is long and awkward and even wrong(due to the fact that our ministry is called Central Student Ministries not Central Students Ministry) For the past 7 months I could tell you specifically which people were reading and no one was eager to tell me how great the blog was. (The readers are my family, friends, and a handful of students that I know. They get a lot from the writings but they know me well enough to know that I am just an ordinary guy that doesn't need my ego stroked)
Yet, I love to write and I feel the weight of these truths. So, blogging is my way of putting thoughts down on paper...digital paper.
Pray that God would continue to humble me... Pray that He would reveal Himself to me as I read and write. And pray for the students and individuals that find their way to this site that they would be impressed with God and not me. Pray that I would be gripped by truth and actually be presenting things clearly. Pray for yourself that you would not be impressed by men. Pray that you would be able to discern when someone is operating for their own glory. Pray that you would find teachers that would have the spirit of John the baptist and say, "He must become greater, I must become less." Pray that you would be like the Bereans in Acts 17 who would 'recieve the great message with eagerness and examine the scriptures to see if what [the teachers] say is true.'
When I stepped into this role it could be said that there was, "a famine of the hearing of the words of the Lord(Amos 8:11)." The students hadn't had a full-time pastor in months. They did have a rotation of teachers coming in but it seemed that a def ear was given to these teachers because teaching was inconsistent and disjointed... I was one of those teachers.
So, as soon as I began my current role I was anxious to share so much... but, due to time I only have one time a week with the jr high and one time with the sr high. So, thanks to technology I am able to share more and even add a depth to what has been said during our services.
Another reason that I blog is that it sharpens me. Blogging keeps me thinking and writing clearly and biblicaly. It makes me more diligent in the scriptures and gives me more experience in expounding texts. So, I am thankful for all that I have learned in the previous months and anxious about what we learn together as we continue to search other books of the bible.
I am aware of the dangers of blogging. A recent article on Desiring God talked about the danger of blogging and desiring the praise of man. It is not unique to blogging but rather is a danger of any public limelight. It can happen in preaching, or writing, or whatever, but it is a very real and dangerous threat. Let me articulate that I do feel those cravings. I would love to have people reading and commenting and expressing to me how my writing has helped them grow spiritually... but God made this site obscure. Our URL, centralstudentsministry.blogspot.com, is long and awkward and even wrong(due to the fact that our ministry is called Central Student Ministries not Central Students Ministry) For the past 7 months I could tell you specifically which people were reading and no one was eager to tell me how great the blog was. (The readers are my family, friends, and a handful of students that I know. They get a lot from the writings but they know me well enough to know that I am just an ordinary guy that doesn't need my ego stroked)
Yet, I love to write and I feel the weight of these truths. So, blogging is my way of putting thoughts down on paper...digital paper.
Pray that God would continue to humble me... Pray that He would reveal Himself to me as I read and write. And pray for the students and individuals that find their way to this site that they would be impressed with God and not me. Pray that I would be gripped by truth and actually be presenting things clearly. Pray for yourself that you would not be impressed by men. Pray that you would be able to discern when someone is operating for their own glory. Pray that you would find teachers that would have the spirit of John the baptist and say, "He must become greater, I must become less." Pray that you would be like the Bereans in Acts 17 who would 'recieve the great message with eagerness and examine the scriptures to see if what [the teachers] say is true.'
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
John 12- Speaking Right
How often do you run your mouth? How often do you offer advise or simply talk to others? In our 9am class this past Sunday morning we noticed this proverb:
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Prov 10:19)
I take that to mean, be careful how you use your mouth. It is easy to talk and when you do, the bible says it is easy to sin when you talk a lot. I am not saying that you should strike a vow of silence. Simply, recognize the power of the tongue and the danger of it being "a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8)" The tongue, although it is small, is capable of all sorts of havoc (James 3). So, as I read today in John I notice that there is a way to speak words of peace and wisdom and healing and correction and love... Speak like Jesus.
Jesus says all sorts of crazy things but he draws his message from his sender... He speaks what his father tells him to say. Surely, Jesus is familiar with the rebuke that God spoke through Jeremiah about prophets who 'speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.(Jeremiah 23: 16)' The problem is they did not stand in the council of the Lord to have a message from Him (Jeremiah 23:18). Or Ezekiel gave the same warning in chapter 13 of his letter, "they lead my people astray, saying, 'peace,' when there is no peace (vs 10). Jesus knew that God does not tolerate a message that is not of Him but spoken in His name. So, Jesus chose his words very carefully and deliberately. We would do well to emulate our master.
"For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that this command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. (John 12: 49-50)"
Jesus only said what he was commanded and only said it the way he was commanded and whatever he said was just what the Father told him to say!? That is staggering! Jesus spoke God's message. That's it. He didn't try to pad it with words. He didn't try to butter it up or make it look more appealing. He didn't put his own twist on it. He simply spoke as one saying the very words of God (1 Peter 2:11). Can I ever say that? I tend to exaggerate the truth... I have a bad habit of either telling half truths or stretching them so they sound either less bad or more appealing depending on the situation. I omit details that would make people upset or say things that make something sound better than it really is. My mouth is full of deadly poison!? But worse than that I am supposed to be a spokesperson for the King of the World and I usually take freedom in my message to change it at least a little to make it more palatable or fun.
Pray for yourself that as you open your mouth you would be speaking God's words to your friends, family, coworkers, etc... Don't run your mouth, speak what God tells you to and say it how He wants you to. Pray also for me. Pray that I would say only what the King issues me. Pray that I would 'eat of His scroll (Ezekiel 3:3)' and speak His words.
"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check (James 3:2)."
God we are aiming for perfection in Christ... make our mouths obedient to you Lord. Thank you for purchasing the sins of our mouths. Help us to live up to your calling on us. Help us to speak what you desire. Help us to speak for your glory.
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Prov 10:19)
I take that to mean, be careful how you use your mouth. It is easy to talk and when you do, the bible says it is easy to sin when you talk a lot. I am not saying that you should strike a vow of silence. Simply, recognize the power of the tongue and the danger of it being "a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8)" The tongue, although it is small, is capable of all sorts of havoc (James 3). So, as I read today in John I notice that there is a way to speak words of peace and wisdom and healing and correction and love... Speak like Jesus.
Jesus says all sorts of crazy things but he draws his message from his sender... He speaks what his father tells him to say. Surely, Jesus is familiar with the rebuke that God spoke through Jeremiah about prophets who 'speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.(Jeremiah 23: 16)' The problem is they did not stand in the council of the Lord to have a message from Him (Jeremiah 23:18). Or Ezekiel gave the same warning in chapter 13 of his letter, "they lead my people astray, saying, 'peace,' when there is no peace (vs 10). Jesus knew that God does not tolerate a message that is not of Him but spoken in His name. So, Jesus chose his words very carefully and deliberately. We would do well to emulate our master.
"For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that this command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. (John 12: 49-50)"
Jesus only said what he was commanded and only said it the way he was commanded and whatever he said was just what the Father told him to say!? That is staggering! Jesus spoke God's message. That's it. He didn't try to pad it with words. He didn't try to butter it up or make it look more appealing. He didn't put his own twist on it. He simply spoke as one saying the very words of God (1 Peter 2:11). Can I ever say that? I tend to exaggerate the truth... I have a bad habit of either telling half truths or stretching them so they sound either less bad or more appealing depending on the situation. I omit details that would make people upset or say things that make something sound better than it really is. My mouth is full of deadly poison!? But worse than that I am supposed to be a spokesperson for the King of the World and I usually take freedom in my message to change it at least a little to make it more palatable or fun.
Pray for yourself that as you open your mouth you would be speaking God's words to your friends, family, coworkers, etc... Don't run your mouth, speak what God tells you to and say it how He wants you to. Pray also for me. Pray that I would say only what the King issues me. Pray that I would 'eat of His scroll (Ezekiel 3:3)' and speak His words.
"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check (James 3:2)."
God we are aiming for perfection in Christ... make our mouths obedient to you Lord. Thank you for purchasing the sins of our mouths. Help us to live up to your calling on us. Help us to speak what you desire. Help us to speak for your glory.
Friday, October 3, 2008
In Love With the Word?
There is a danger of staleness… I am sure that if you asked several seasoned saints you would hear the same answer to questions related to personal Bible study/reading; “It is hard to continue to return to the word everyday. There are so many subtle forces pulling against an individual from actually reading the bible.” I have a student that looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes and exclaim, “I am hungry for the word!” But, I bet I could ask that student how long did that hunger last before it was replaced with a hunger for something else? I am sure the answer would be not long. Maybe I am being pessimistic but I am projecting from my own experience.
I have a hard time with a routine bible reading. It should be my passion. It should be natural. BUT, it gets crowded out. It gets pushed to the fringes by other important things like ministry and preaching and counseling and even reading… I am so guilty of this lately. I have been reading and writing so much lately that I can’t even remember when I last simply read and studied the bible? Sure I use it. I think about it. I think about parts that I am already familiar with and I love to talk about them. But there is a depth to the bible that is in-exhaustible. And I am not mining. I put down my pick months ago. So on that note… I am done writing and I am done reading my other books so I can dive into the word of life.
I have a hard time with a routine bible reading. It should be my passion. It should be natural. BUT, it gets crowded out. It gets pushed to the fringes by other important things like ministry and preaching and counseling and even reading… I am so guilty of this lately. I have been reading and writing so much lately that I can’t even remember when I last simply read and studied the bible? Sure I use it. I think about it. I think about parts that I am already familiar with and I love to talk about them. But there is a depth to the bible that is in-exhaustible. And I am not mining. I put down my pick months ago. So on that note… I am done writing and I am done reading my other books so I can dive into the word of life.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
John 12- Hate Your Life
Does Jesus have a right to say that? Can he really tell people that "...the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life(vs. 25)?"
I think so... I do not think that he is being morbid or mean. I think he is pointing us to something greater... namely, eternity. Jesus is saying that his time is coming. That his life is almost over. Yet, he is not upset. He knows that he will be glorified and he will be seated with his Father... now he calls us to that sort of dismissal of our lives here.
But, if you are honest, do you really hate your life? Are you really anxious about spending forever with God? Most of us are actually in love with this world and we need to have the world pried away from us. Jesus says in Luke 14 that 'anyone who doesn't renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple. (vs 33 ESV)' What that means is that Jesus needs to be more precious than our family, more precious than our health, more precious than our careers, or our friends. He should be everything and we should be able to say with the apostle Paul, 'to live is Christ, but to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20)' If I am here I can glorify Christ but if I die I get to go see Him face to face!? Win win. Don't let life be more precious than Jesus. Renounce your life. Hate it. Pray that you could say with the psalmist, "whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25)"
I think so... I do not think that he is being morbid or mean. I think he is pointing us to something greater... namely, eternity. Jesus is saying that his time is coming. That his life is almost over. Yet, he is not upset. He knows that he will be glorified and he will be seated with his Father... now he calls us to that sort of dismissal of our lives here.
But, if you are honest, do you really hate your life? Are you really anxious about spending forever with God? Most of us are actually in love with this world and we need to have the world pried away from us. Jesus says in Luke 14 that 'anyone who doesn't renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple. (vs 33 ESV)' What that means is that Jesus needs to be more precious than our family, more precious than our health, more precious than our careers, or our friends. He should be everything and we should be able to say with the apostle Paul, 'to live is Christ, but to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20)' If I am here I can glorify Christ but if I die I get to go see Him face to face!? Win win. Don't let life be more precious than Jesus. Renounce your life. Hate it. Pray that you could say with the psalmist, "whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25)"
John 12- Spreading the Word
John 12:17 "Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word."
In the midst of the craziness of Lazarus' death and his being raised these people saw how marvelous Jesus is. They saw how Jesus took a hopeless situation and turned it on its head. They put their faith in Jesus because of the way that he worked and now they are spreading the word about Jesus.
This is our mantle and call. If you have been raised from the dead (Jesus took a dead heart and a lifeless spiritual body and breathed life into you) then you are a spreader of the word. How could you possibly contain what Jesus did for you? I am talking about the fact that before you knew Jesus "you were dead in your transgressions and sins... but God, in his great love for you, being rich in mercy, made you alive with Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1,4-5)" He brought you to life man! Now it is your responsibility to tell others about that.
But here is my question; who have you told? How many people have you actually told about this 'Great News?' If Jesus brought you to life then I think that is pretty big news!? Think about this... we gather our loved ones to tell them about a promotion, or a birthday, or an engagement, or retirement, or an expectancy. But what about saying this, "guys guess what... I AM ALIVE!?! I was dead but now I am alive. Jesus gave me Life!" That is news! Why wouldn't we be ambitious to spread it.
In the midst of the craziness of Lazarus' death and his being raised these people saw how marvelous Jesus is. They saw how Jesus took a hopeless situation and turned it on its head. They put their faith in Jesus because of the way that he worked and now they are spreading the word about Jesus.
This is our mantle and call. If you have been raised from the dead (Jesus took a dead heart and a lifeless spiritual body and breathed life into you) then you are a spreader of the word. How could you possibly contain what Jesus did for you? I am talking about the fact that before you knew Jesus "you were dead in your transgressions and sins... but God, in his great love for you, being rich in mercy, made you alive with Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1,4-5)" He brought you to life man! Now it is your responsibility to tell others about that.
But here is my question; who have you told? How many people have you actually told about this 'Great News?' If Jesus brought you to life then I think that is pretty big news!? Think about this... we gather our loved ones to tell them about a promotion, or a birthday, or an engagement, or retirement, or an expectancy. But what about saying this, "guys guess what... I AM ALIVE!?! I was dead but now I am alive. Jesus gave me Life!" That is news! Why wouldn't we be ambitious to spread it.
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