Sunday, March 28, 2010

Reflecting God's Attributes

Read John 4:1-24

I just finished reading the book - God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram. As Chip wraps up the book he concludes with the story of the woman at the well in John 4. And within this story he summarizes both the story and his book as follows:

He (Jesus) gave her (the woman at the well) a glimpse of God himself, Jesus, the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3) and the embodiment of the fullness of God (Col. 1:19), showed God's character to someone who just went out to get some water. He was good to her, genuinely concerned for her welfare. He was sovereign, knowing the details of her past and aware of the divine appointment that led to their conversation. He was holy, confronting her sinfulness. He was wise, demonstrating the ability to draw her in without rejecting her as everyone else had done. He was just, not letting the judgments of men affect his mercy for this sinner, and dealing with her honestly and fairly from an eternal perspective. He was loving, patiently answering her questions and seeking her salvation above all else. And he was faithful, carrying out his will for an entire community through the witness of one redeemed sinner.

This story is one of many in which Jesus powerfully reflects the attributes of God. If you ever questioned whether God wants for you to see Him, Jesus is the clearest answer. Friends what if - what if we reflected these attributes of God wherever we go? What if we were continually aware of the greatness of God's character by reflecting it in our own lives? Can you imagine the impact we'd make for Christ? I want to live like that - and I'm sure you do as well. Let's consider the life of Christ, His example, and follow it with the power and strength given by the Holy Spirit of God so that wherever we go, God is with us and we're worshiping God in spirit and in truth. To God Be the Glory!!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

What's Important?

Read 2 Peter 1:3-14

What's the most important thing in your life? When you read that question, what's the very first thing that comes to mind? For many of us we reply with the answer we're "supposed" to give. But in truth, in our conscience we have another answer. That "other" answer is what is standing between you and a dynamic relationship with the living God.

You know we all live in a time like no other when expectations and ideologies are at an all time high. But where do we get these expectations and ideologies from? Are they from God or are they our own creation? The reality is a lot of what we see in others and if we're open, what we see in ourselves, is a creation of our own set of core values, beliefs and expectations.

The truth is this - God has given us everything we need to live Godly lives. Take a moment and read 2 Peter 1:3-14. Peter reminds members of God's forever family of God's great and precious promises; and how we can participate in the divine nature and live above the corrupt times we live in.

Too often though what gets in the way is us. Our own way, our own dreams of what is best. Friends, God makes it clear in His word that He knows what we need. So let's not get caught up in what we want. Because what we want is not necessarily what we need. And God is a good God. He is a good God because that's who He is. And part of His goodness provides us with what we need in a world that tries to tell us we need something else. Does that make sense? God wants us to never fall in our faith so He tells us through Peter's words to add to our faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. And this friends we're told - if we possess these qualities, these core values, that they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Live with these expectations and ideologies for the following reason - God desires you and I to be effective in our life ministry as we live for Him, serving Him because He is what's most important!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Greater Things

Read John 14:12-14

So we've just finished our series - Decision Points. And with that I have a few questions: what decisions has God challenged you with? have you listened? responded? still seeking direction to some of the decisions you need to make?

I've found it's important to know what you want in order to know whether or not you're making any progress. So another question I have is - how do you evaluate if you've had a good week? One of the decision points I've been challenged with has been the decision to determine whether I'm living for my things or God's things. Check out this song on youtube God of This City.

God has greater things for all of us. We all have different parts to play but His greater things are greater than my things. And when we're reminded of that it should inspire within us a passion to pursue God's best in us and through us wherever we are.

Are you ready to make a decision for God's greater things? It takes a disciple to make a decision like this; a disciple who's willing to follow the will and way of God no matter the cost and with a willingness to give up everything for the kingdom and glory of God. This week live your faith as a fully devoted follower of Christ by seeking His greater things.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Taking A Stand

Read Ephesians 6:13-17

How many times have you wanted to take a stand but for one reason or another you just weren't prepared? When I think about this question it causes me to consider the many times and many ways I wasn't prepared to take a stand. Maybe it was a test in school, an interview for a job, an opportunity to stand up for someone who couldn't stand up for themselves or maybe it was an issue of faith. We've all been there - where we want to take a stand but for whatever reason, we just weren't prepared.

Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us we never have to be unprepared when it comes to matters of faith. The Apostle Paul was a bold man, a man always ready to take a stand for his faith. So when writing to the Ephesians He boldly says "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." He clarifies the full armor of God by comparing it to the Word. You see in the battles we face we have a real enemy. And think about it. What does every enemy desire? By definition, enemies desire to defeat their opponents. Our enemy is looking to destroy us, to make us ineffective for the cause of Christ.

But we don't have to be rendered ineffective! God has given us everything we need to live godly lives. So we ought to be excited and intentional about getting in God's word. It is full of God's wisdom and direction, power and holiness, truth and love.

Listen we all have the advantage of being able to get into God's word in various ways. We can "do it" the old fashioned way and read it right from our Bibles, or we can read it online at one of the thousands of sights that share His word on the world wide web. Many of us enjoy listening to music that praises our Father with lyrics originated from the Scriptures; and others enjoy sitting down with a great Christian book that draws us into God's presence while quoting countless Bible verses about living and loving as God created us to live and love. We have no excuse friends. God's word is more available to us now than ever before.

Let's hear it from the Psalmist who said -

Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word. Psalm 119:97-101