Read Ezra 3
After Israel had been in captivity and they were returning to Jerusalem, there was a rebuilding project taking place. First the altar was set up, the ancient sacrifices were restored and the foundations of the Temple were laid. All this was met by the Israelites with mixed emotions. First we're told in verse 3 the people were afraid of the peoples around them. Later we read as the Temple foundations were laid (v. 12) many of the older priests and Levites and family heads who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundations of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
Mixed emotions often come when we're faced with rebuilding in our lives. The Israelites fear was real. Those around them weren't happy to see their enemies, the Israelites, rebuilding Jerusalem. So Israel was right to express fear. However, the people understood as Ezra writes in verse 11 the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
Whenever we're faced with times when we have something happening in our lives where rebuilding is necessary, remember who God is. Remember He is good and His love endures forever. Why is this important? Because when we're in broken times, all we got is God. You see, who He is really is all we got anyway. Isn't that true?
When we read Old Testament stories like Ezra and realize the emotions they faced are emotions we face, we can understand what really matters in life is who we know. When we know God we can face our fears. Listen, fears come when opposition exists; but no opposition can withstand the goodness and love of God. With God all things are possible.
So no matter what needs rebuilding in your life, trust what we learn in Ezra. Build on the foundation of God's goodness and love - who He is. And let's give whatever needs rebuilding in our lives to this good and loving God.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A New Command
Read John 13:34-35
Recently I read an article by one of my favorite authors, Francis Chan. His article was all about how we treat one another. He asked the question - knowledge or love? And quoted 1 Corinthians 13:2 which says we can have the gift of prophecy, understand mysteries, have all sorts of knowledge and have faith that can move mountains but if we do not have love we are nothing. Chan summarizes, "you can be brilliant and worthless."
He goes on and raises the issue of how Christians treat one another. This made me think of Jesus' words in John 13. This world will know we are His disciples (followers) if we love one another. What happens in the family of God is often unfortunate. We take Jesus' love to the world and there's nothing unfortunate about that - in fact, God is pleased when we go to the world with His love. But what is unfortunate is when we fail to realize Jesus' command - Love one another - is given to His disciples; Jesus is saying believers love believers then this world will know you truly are my disciples.
Let's be different, let's love each other (men and women of Christ) so well that this world can't help but take notice that we are His!
Recently I read an article by one of my favorite authors, Francis Chan. His article was all about how we treat one another. He asked the question - knowledge or love? And quoted 1 Corinthians 13:2 which says we can have the gift of prophecy, understand mysteries, have all sorts of knowledge and have faith that can move mountains but if we do not have love we are nothing. Chan summarizes, "you can be brilliant and worthless."
He goes on and raises the issue of how Christians treat one another. This made me think of Jesus' words in John 13. This world will know we are His disciples (followers) if we love one another. What happens in the family of God is often unfortunate. We take Jesus' love to the world and there's nothing unfortunate about that - in fact, God is pleased when we go to the world with His love. But what is unfortunate is when we fail to realize Jesus' command - Love one another - is given to His disciples; Jesus is saying believers love believers then this world will know you truly are my disciples.
Let's be different, let's love each other (men and women of Christ) so well that this world can't help but take notice that we are His!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Moments in Time
Read John 10:1-21
There are certain moments in time we all remember because these moments are etched in our memories. These memories seem like they'll always be there but there are times when for one reason or another we tend to miss some of the specifics as we recall these amazing moments.
Unless that is we dwell on these moments. Do you know what I mean? My lovely wife and I went to the movies the other day (for Valentines Day) and saw the movie - The Vow. It was what's come to be known as a chick-flick - and you know what I'm ok with that. It was a great movie with a great message of how we all have moments in time and we think we'll always remember but what happens if/when we don't?
We tend to have faith moments in time. Times when we remember first understanding the story and life of Jesus; times when we remember hearing about His grace and mercy and kindness and goodness and truth and love; times when we realize His moment in time, when He went to the cross was about absolute and pure love for you and for me.
But we have good forgetters. We forget because we fail to reflect on these faith moments in time; times when Jesus stood for us because He knew we could never stand alone but only on His power, passion and purpose.
Remember this week the power of Jesus' words - "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". May our moments in time always be made by remembering this most important moment in time.
There are certain moments in time we all remember because these moments are etched in our memories. These memories seem like they'll always be there but there are times when for one reason or another we tend to miss some of the specifics as we recall these amazing moments.
Unless that is we dwell on these moments. Do you know what I mean? My lovely wife and I went to the movies the other day (for Valentines Day) and saw the movie - The Vow. It was what's come to be known as a chick-flick - and you know what I'm ok with that. It was a great movie with a great message of how we all have moments in time and we think we'll always remember but what happens if/when we don't?
We tend to have faith moments in time. Times when we remember first understanding the story and life of Jesus; times when we remember hearing about His grace and mercy and kindness and goodness and truth and love; times when we realize His moment in time, when He went to the cross was about absolute and pure love for you and for me.
But we have good forgetters. We forget because we fail to reflect on these faith moments in time; times when Jesus stood for us because He knew we could never stand alone but only on His power, passion and purpose.
Remember this week the power of Jesus' words - "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". May our moments in time always be made by remembering this most important moment in time.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
How can He say that?
Read Matthew 5:20
Take a moment and read Matthew 5:20. Do you now understand the question - how can Jesus say that? For centuries the standard was set and during that entire time Israel, people everywhere continually failed to meet the standard. Now Jesus is raising the bar, raising it to an even higher level saying "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
He could do this because He believed in His own life. The greatness of the demands in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is only surpassed by the confidence Christ has in His life. And the life that is available within us is His life and that's enough to meet these demands because the resources He has given us. You see we have Christ and God does not command what He is unwilling or unable to perform. So what Jesus says and the life He lives changes the question from - How can He say that? to Why don't we live like we believe it?
Meditate on Jesus' words. God equips us to do what He's asked of us. Only when we lose sight of this and where our stregth and power come from are we unable to do God's work. Let's pray that His life, more than just His words, would live within us!
Take a moment and read Matthew 5:20. Do you now understand the question - how can Jesus say that? For centuries the standard was set and during that entire time Israel, people everywhere continually failed to meet the standard. Now Jesus is raising the bar, raising it to an even higher level saying "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
He could do this because He believed in His own life. The greatness of the demands in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is only surpassed by the confidence Christ has in His life. And the life that is available within us is His life and that's enough to meet these demands because the resources He has given us. You see we have Christ and God does not command what He is unwilling or unable to perform. So what Jesus says and the life He lives changes the question from - How can He say that? to Why don't we live like we believe it?
Meditate on Jesus' words. God equips us to do what He's asked of us. Only when we lose sight of this and where our stregth and power come from are we unable to do God's work. Let's pray that His life, more than just His words, would live within us!
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