Read Acts 20:1-38
Worthy - it's a word many of us know and some ascribe to ourselves. And we do this because we believe (at times at least) like we're deserving. At times we live with an entitlement mind-set. However, we know of only One who ever lived that was truly worthy, truly entitled and deserving of our praise - Jesus Christ.
Listen the passage in Acts 20 speaks of Paul's many trials and difficulties as he was living his life fully devoted to Jesus. And what strikes me most is what he says drives him toward this life. He says it in v. 24 - I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Oh how all of us should be as passionate as Paul, considering our life worth nothing unless we finish the race God's given us personally to testify to the gospel of God's grace.
Now why was Paul able to say this? It's because he understood the gospel and he understood God's grace. He had a right perspective when it came to realizing God is worthy because He sent Jesus with the good news that God's grace is available to sinners like you and me. So Paul's full devotion, his daily life was a living sacrifice and reminder to all who came into his life that God's grace is enough; that God's worthy of our worship.
Worship God this week as you moment by moment give Him thanks with your life!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
One Life To Live
Read 2 Kings 5:1-15
We all have one life to live. The question is - how are you going to live your life?
There's a great story in 2 Kings 5 that tells us about a young servant girl who gets kidnapped. Now you'd think her life was over. You'd think her life would result maybe in bitterness and complaints, excuses and anger. But quite the opposite happens. While serving her captor's wife she said - If only my master (Naaman - commander of the army of the king of Aram) would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.
She does what many of us might consider at a minimum questionable. How could she consider what's in the best interest of her kidnapper? Helping him with his leprosy by advising his wife that he needs to go see the prophet in Israel. But isn't that exactly what God sent Jesus to us to do? Jesus came to do the unthinkable. Offer a solution to people like you and me who are not worthy of the solution provided. But God's love trumps all things when He sends us Jesus to cure us of our illness, much like Naaman who would eventually be cured of his sickness.
However, we're a lot like Naaman. When told what it's going to take to be cured, Naaman scoffs at going into the water and immersing himself seven times and then he'd be healed. He expects; he wants something bigger and greater than this. And so do we. We want to be able to do something for ourselves so when we're told there's one way to a right relationship with God; there's one way to being cured of our sickness we'd prefer to do it our way instead. Listen, only when we submit to God's plan of grace and mercy can we receive this greatest gift that's ever been offered to mankind.
Friends, we can learn from this servant girl and we can learn from Naaman. We have one life to live. How do we intend to live it? Live life with the understanding of God's plan that only Christ can save us from our sins; and live life with willingness to submit to His way instead of our own.
We all have one life to live. The question is - how are you going to live your life?
There's a great story in 2 Kings 5 that tells us about a young servant girl who gets kidnapped. Now you'd think her life was over. You'd think her life would result maybe in bitterness and complaints, excuses and anger. But quite the opposite happens. While serving her captor's wife she said - If only my master (Naaman - commander of the army of the king of Aram) would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.
She does what many of us might consider at a minimum questionable. How could she consider what's in the best interest of her kidnapper? Helping him with his leprosy by advising his wife that he needs to go see the prophet in Israel. But isn't that exactly what God sent Jesus to us to do? Jesus came to do the unthinkable. Offer a solution to people like you and me who are not worthy of the solution provided. But God's love trumps all things when He sends us Jesus to cure us of our illness, much like Naaman who would eventually be cured of his sickness.
However, we're a lot like Naaman. When told what it's going to take to be cured, Naaman scoffs at going into the water and immersing himself seven times and then he'd be healed. He expects; he wants something bigger and greater than this. And so do we. We want to be able to do something for ourselves so when we're told there's one way to a right relationship with God; there's one way to being cured of our sickness we'd prefer to do it our way instead. Listen, only when we submit to God's plan of grace and mercy can we receive this greatest gift that's ever been offered to mankind.
Friends, we can learn from this servant girl and we can learn from Naaman. We have one life to live. How do we intend to live it? Live life with the understanding of God's plan that only Christ can save us from our sins; and live life with willingness to submit to His way instead of our own.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Lamp and Light
Read Psalm 119:105
If this Psalm is right, that God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, then shouldn't the word of God be not just a top priority in my life and yours but shouldn't it be THE top priority?
All throughout God's word we're told of the benefits and success that come from hiding God's word in our heart. Joshua 1:8 says - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Listen if we want success in life God's word is the answer to what we need in our lives because it tells us everything about Him and everything about how He wants us to live. Spend time this week allowing God's word to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. And be creative with it. We all know there's different ways to get God's word into our lives. We can read scripture, listen to sermons and play our favorite Christian music. All are filled with God's word. Do what works for you but remember to get God's word in your life.
If this Psalm is right, that God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, then shouldn't the word of God be not just a top priority in my life and yours but shouldn't it be THE top priority?
All throughout God's word we're told of the benefits and success that come from hiding God's word in our heart. Joshua 1:8 says - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Listen if we want success in life God's word is the answer to what we need in our lives because it tells us everything about Him and everything about how He wants us to live. Spend time this week allowing God's word to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. And be creative with it. We all know there's different ways to get God's word into our lives. We can read scripture, listen to sermons and play our favorite Christian music. All are filled with God's word. Do what works for you but remember to get God's word in your life.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Finding Our Way
Read John 14:1-6
Jesus says He's the Way, the Truth and the Life. These are huge claims! And if true, they should change everything about our lives.
He's the Way because He's our Savior, the only one who lived a perfect, holy and sacrificial life. Therefore, able to satisfy the payment for sin by His death on the cross. He's the Truth because He's our great Teacher. His words and promises all come true. He says only what the Father wants Him to say and He wants His disciples trusting His wisdom for godly living. And He's the Life because He's our great Provider. There's this gift of the Holy Spirit He provides the powers us to spirit-led living.
Friends, God wants us Finding Our Way home. This is only possible by accepting Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives. Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him. And no one means no one!
Let's respond by letting the whole world hear of this great and good news!!
Jesus says He's the Way, the Truth and the Life. These are huge claims! And if true, they should change everything about our lives.
He's the Way because He's our Savior, the only one who lived a perfect, holy and sacrificial life. Therefore, able to satisfy the payment for sin by His death on the cross. He's the Truth because He's our great Teacher. His words and promises all come true. He says only what the Father wants Him to say and He wants His disciples trusting His wisdom for godly living. And He's the Life because He's our great Provider. There's this gift of the Holy Spirit He provides the powers us to spirit-led living.
Friends, God wants us Finding Our Way home. This is only possible by accepting Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives. Jesus says no one comes to the Father except through Him. And no one means no one!
Let's respond by letting the whole world hear of this great and good news!!
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