Read Luke 18:31-34
The question all of us ask throughout our lives is why. Why did this happen, why did that happen, why God why?
Understanding is so elusive. And it eluded Jesus' first disciples. As we read in Luke 18:31-34 we see the text tells us they were lost; confused with what Jesus was talking about. He was talking to the Twelve and telling them all that was about to happen; how when they would arrive in Jerusalem all that the prophets had written about Him would be fulfilled. He was going to be handed over to the Gentiles and they would humiliate Jesus with their insults, spits, flogging and eventually they would kill Him. And on the third day Jesus promised He would rise again.
To so many of us this is so clear; we see it through the eyes of history, understanding our faith and knowing that all that Jesus said here actually happened. But to many, these words are still unclear. If you're reading this and Jesus' words aren't fully in focus for you yet, please know what Jesus was talking about, what the Christian faith is all about is Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. His words then are still true now - when He went into Jerusalem and experienced the cross, He did it for you and He did it for me. He paid the price for sin, your sin and mine, the perfect sacrificial death so that we would not have to die and live eternally apart from God.
The disciples didn't understand and there are times when we don't understand what is happening in our lives. What's important, always important, is that we understand these truths about Jesus. He came into this world to take us out of this world and into a relationship with His Father. His life was sacrificial so that all who would believe and ask Jesus to be the forgiver of their sins and leader of their life would come into this eternal relationship. It's all God has ever really wanted - you. Reflect on this understanding this week and thank God for the life Jesus lived for us.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Gospel Truth
Read Colossians 1:1-8
I don't know about you but I love reading the New Testament epistles. I think it's because we know some things about Paul's life and we can relate really well with him. Paul was a man of accomplishment. A quick read of Acts tells us he was zealous man of faith, always putting forth 100% effort. However, we learn in Acts 9 that Paul's life takes a turn. He receives instructions from the Lord and from that moment on his life took a new focus; he received a message, the gospel truth and it was now his life purpose to go and tell the good news of Jesus. The work of Jesus and not the work of man.
So when we read the epistles like Colossians 1:1-8 it's important, always important, for all of us to remember the foundation of our faith - the gospel. In his letter to the Colossians Paul speaks impressively of the Colossians faith and how "all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing" among this group of Christ followers.
Listen, the gospel is the message of Jesus, the message the Colossians first heard about and understood the grace of God in all its truth. And where did they learn it? They learned it from Epaphras, a dear fellow servant of Paul and Timothy. This is so important because just as the Colossian church needed to hear the gospel truth from Epaphras, people we know need to hear the gospel message from us.
Pray that God will afford you opportunity after opportunity to communicate the good news about Jesus. His life, death, burial and resurrection. And may the hope of His life give your life joy this week. Make every effort to share this good news - my suspicion is all of us who are believers in Jesus can think of someone with a name we recall who first shared their faith with us and helped us understand the grace of God. May the good news, the gospel truth, be shared by us to a world that so desperately needs to know the love of God that's only found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
I don't know about you but I love reading the New Testament epistles. I think it's because we know some things about Paul's life and we can relate really well with him. Paul was a man of accomplishment. A quick read of Acts tells us he was zealous man of faith, always putting forth 100% effort. However, we learn in Acts 9 that Paul's life takes a turn. He receives instructions from the Lord and from that moment on his life took a new focus; he received a message, the gospel truth and it was now his life purpose to go and tell the good news of Jesus. The work of Jesus and not the work of man.
So when we read the epistles like Colossians 1:1-8 it's important, always important, for all of us to remember the foundation of our faith - the gospel. In his letter to the Colossians Paul speaks impressively of the Colossians faith and how "all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing" among this group of Christ followers.
Listen, the gospel is the message of Jesus, the message the Colossians first heard about and understood the grace of God in all its truth. And where did they learn it? They learned it from Epaphras, a dear fellow servant of Paul and Timothy. This is so important because just as the Colossian church needed to hear the gospel truth from Epaphras, people we know need to hear the gospel message from us.
Pray that God will afford you opportunity after opportunity to communicate the good news about Jesus. His life, death, burial and resurrection. And may the hope of His life give your life joy this week. Make every effort to share this good news - my suspicion is all of us who are believers in Jesus can think of someone with a name we recall who first shared their faith with us and helped us understand the grace of God. May the good news, the gospel truth, be shared by us to a world that so desperately needs to know the love of God that's only found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Tension is Good
Read John 1:14
A few years ago the staff at Hope went to a conference for church leaders and the theme was "The Tension is Good." Now maybe you're like us; when you read this you pause and think how is that true. After hearing the speakers and listening to their illustrations it became clear to all of us that the tension is in fact good.
Most of us would consider tension a bad thing but when we have the right tension on a suspension bridge for instance the structure is strong and secure. Well there's tension in the Bible over and over again. John 1:14 speaks of a tension that exists which is not only important but necessary. This tension is between grace and truth. You see when Jesus came into this world and took on human flesh and lived among us, He came from the Father full of grace and truth.
When we think of grace and truth we tend to lean toward one or the other. What we find is we desire truth for others and grace for ourselves, you know what I mean? Read about Jesus' life and I'm convinced you will find story after story, interaction after interaction where He found the perfect tension between grace and truth.
In your life and mine, I believe we're to strike this perfect balance, call it tension when it comes to grace and truth. Grace is extending God's riches at Christ's expense and truth is keeping it real according to the truth of God's word. We are going to continue to wrestle with this because we are imperfect. However, let's live like Jesus and learn the tension is good, especially when it comes to grace and truth. This week desire and seek God's direction in areas of your life where grace and truth are needed. And trust that God will equip us as followers of Jesus to be full of grace and truth.
A few years ago the staff at Hope went to a conference for church leaders and the theme was "The Tension is Good." Now maybe you're like us; when you read this you pause and think how is that true. After hearing the speakers and listening to their illustrations it became clear to all of us that the tension is in fact good.
Most of us would consider tension a bad thing but when we have the right tension on a suspension bridge for instance the structure is strong and secure. Well there's tension in the Bible over and over again. John 1:14 speaks of a tension that exists which is not only important but necessary. This tension is between grace and truth. You see when Jesus came into this world and took on human flesh and lived among us, He came from the Father full of grace and truth.
When we think of grace and truth we tend to lean toward one or the other. What we find is we desire truth for others and grace for ourselves, you know what I mean? Read about Jesus' life and I'm convinced you will find story after story, interaction after interaction where He found the perfect tension between grace and truth.
In your life and mine, I believe we're to strike this perfect balance, call it tension when it comes to grace and truth. Grace is extending God's riches at Christ's expense and truth is keeping it real according to the truth of God's word. We are going to continue to wrestle with this because we are imperfect. However, let's live like Jesus and learn the tension is good, especially when it comes to grace and truth. This week desire and seek God's direction in areas of your life where grace and truth are needed. And trust that God will equip us as followers of Jesus to be full of grace and truth.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
People of Praise
Read Luke 17:11-19
So often we are blessed in life - by God and by others. Yet so often our response is just like nine of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Just as Jesus asked - "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
Listen, the one leper who returned realized several things. First, he noticed he was healed. He was suffering and after crying out to Jesus he was healed. He saw a change in his life. In response, the second thing he did was he made a move. He came back and found Jesus to do one thing - praise Him. His act of praise and thanksgiving is something we often miss in our relationship with God. Too often we go about our busy lives missing the blessings of God. Instead we go on and miss what really matters and that's giving thanks to Jesus for what He's done and what He continues to do in our lives each day.
How do you live? Are you like the nine or the one? Too often I'm like the nine and yet I want to be like the one. Giving praise to God is why we exist - so whether we are in the middle of a hurt, habit or hangup, or even if we're in the middle of a blessed time let's remember to be people of praise. Praise is what people of God are to be all about; praising God in good times and bad because we have a Father in Heaven who knows our name, a Father in Heaven who knows our pain, and a Father in Heaven who deserves the fame that is due His Name.
So often we are blessed in life - by God and by others. Yet so often our response is just like nine of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Just as Jesus asked - "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
Listen, the one leper who returned realized several things. First, he noticed he was healed. He was suffering and after crying out to Jesus he was healed. He saw a change in his life. In response, the second thing he did was he made a move. He came back and found Jesus to do one thing - praise Him. His act of praise and thanksgiving is something we often miss in our relationship with God. Too often we go about our busy lives missing the blessings of God. Instead we go on and miss what really matters and that's giving thanks to Jesus for what He's done and what He continues to do in our lives each day.
How do you live? Are you like the nine or the one? Too often I'm like the nine and yet I want to be like the one. Giving praise to God is why we exist - so whether we are in the middle of a hurt, habit or hangup, or even if we're in the middle of a blessed time let's remember to be people of praise. Praise is what people of God are to be all about; praising God in good times and bad because we have a Father in Heaven who knows our name, a Father in Heaven who knows our pain, and a Father in Heaven who deserves the fame that is due His Name.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
When Down Is Up
Read Matthew 6:9-13
We've all been there; some of us know it too well and some of us know it right now. Life is filled with its ups and downs. All would agree, without question.
But the question we should consider is what's our response going to be when this happens? Some will wallow in it; some will deny it; and some will accept it and respond how I believe Jesus wants us to.
I believe Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 teaches us to be people that when we're down we're to always look up. This prayer is about seeing God for who He is and where He is. He is our Father who reigns in Heaven. He reigns over all creation, His creation, and it's His desire that we look to Him at all times - when we're up and when we're down.
Listen, this doesn't mean it's easy when we're down. You know what I mean. We're not saying - hey you can handle this just give it to God it's that simple. That's not at all what we're saying. What we're saying is at all times God wants us turning to Him; in relationship, in trust, in hope and in the good times and bad. Is it going to change your circumstance? No. But it will change you, change me. See we are changed first when we recognize the character of God, see Him for who He is and it helps us learn to respond differently in all our circumstances.
Read the rest of this passage from Matthew 6 and just meditate on what this passage tells us about our relationship with God and how He desires we respond to Him. We sing a song at Hope called The Lord's Prayer - and it's just so powerful to sing this passage with celebration because that is how God wants us living in relationship with Him one day at a time.
We've all been there; some of us know it too well and some of us know it right now. Life is filled with its ups and downs. All would agree, without question.
But the question we should consider is what's our response going to be when this happens? Some will wallow in it; some will deny it; and some will accept it and respond how I believe Jesus wants us to.
I believe Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 teaches us to be people that when we're down we're to always look up. This prayer is about seeing God for who He is and where He is. He is our Father who reigns in Heaven. He reigns over all creation, His creation, and it's His desire that we look to Him at all times - when we're up and when we're down.
Listen, this doesn't mean it's easy when we're down. You know what I mean. We're not saying - hey you can handle this just give it to God it's that simple. That's not at all what we're saying. What we're saying is at all times God wants us turning to Him; in relationship, in trust, in hope and in the good times and bad. Is it going to change your circumstance? No. But it will change you, change me. See we are changed first when we recognize the character of God, see Him for who He is and it helps us learn to respond differently in all our circumstances.
Read the rest of this passage from Matthew 6 and just meditate on what this passage tells us about our relationship with God and how He desires we respond to Him. We sing a song at Hope called The Lord's Prayer - and it's just so powerful to sing this passage with celebration because that is how God wants us living in relationship with Him one day at a time.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
God Will Strengthen
Read Ezekiel 2:1-10
Let's be honest - if you've read even a little bit from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, it's not the easiest of books to understand. That's because it's a book of prophecy with symbols and visions. However, it's a great book because it helps us when we're wrestling with our faith, with life and with the realities we all face in this world.
Ezekiel 2 tells us about God's calling for Ezekiel. He's told he is being sent to speak to the Israelites who are a rebellious nation that has rebelled against God. God describes them to Ezekiel that they are "obstinate and stubborn." And He gives Ezekiel a warning that the Israelites may listen or fail to listen to the words God has given him to give to His people.
This is not exactly the pep talk any of us would like to hear as we listen for God's voice to give us direction to go into battle for Him, is it? Most of us want to hear - you can do it; you've got this; don't worry, you can handle whatever is coming your way; people will listen to you and follow you.
But that's not what God tells Ezekiel. God tells him the truth. The Israelites are a rebellious people, but as verse 7 says I believe God wants all of us speaking His words, whether people listen or not.
Friends God knows more than we know. He knows that some people will make decisions to follow Him and some people will make decisions not to follow Him. But the calling God gives Ezekiel, the calling He gives us isn't based on the reception we receive. It's based on His desire to be in relationship with His people.
So God wants us trusting Him and knowing that God will strenthen us every step of the way. So whatever you and I think of Ezekiel, let's remember His name literally means - God will strengthen. And knowing this about God's character, no matter what you and I are called to let's be focused on the cause for speaking the truth about Jesus.
Let's be honest - if you've read even a little bit from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, it's not the easiest of books to understand. That's because it's a book of prophecy with symbols and visions. However, it's a great book because it helps us when we're wrestling with our faith, with life and with the realities we all face in this world.
Ezekiel 2 tells us about God's calling for Ezekiel. He's told he is being sent to speak to the Israelites who are a rebellious nation that has rebelled against God. God describes them to Ezekiel that they are "obstinate and stubborn." And He gives Ezekiel a warning that the Israelites may listen or fail to listen to the words God has given him to give to His people.
This is not exactly the pep talk any of us would like to hear as we listen for God's voice to give us direction to go into battle for Him, is it? Most of us want to hear - you can do it; you've got this; don't worry, you can handle whatever is coming your way; people will listen to you and follow you.
But that's not what God tells Ezekiel. God tells him the truth. The Israelites are a rebellious people, but as verse 7 says I believe God wants all of us speaking His words, whether people listen or not.
Friends God knows more than we know. He knows that some people will make decisions to follow Him and some people will make decisions not to follow Him. But the calling God gives Ezekiel, the calling He gives us isn't based on the reception we receive. It's based on His desire to be in relationship with His people.
So God wants us trusting Him and knowing that God will strenthen us every step of the way. So whatever you and I think of Ezekiel, let's remember His name literally means - God will strengthen. And knowing this about God's character, no matter what you and I are called to let's be focused on the cause for speaking the truth about Jesus.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Words of Jesus (3)
Read John 15:23-27
People have strong reactions when it comes to the name and person of Jesus. There is very little, if any fence sitting when it comes to how people react to Him. Jesus says exactly this in John 15. He says if people hated Him they will hate the Father; even if they see His miracles they despise both Jesus and His Father. Now today, we hear so many talk about their belief in God but at the same time don't respond in belief to Jesus. There's almost this disconnect between the two in our society today. Even more is when we talk about the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says at the end of John 15 that if you stand for Him people will not like you; they will persecute you just as they persecuted Jesus (v. 20). Now just because we're told the world will respond to us like this, it doesn't give us the right to encourage this animosity with the world. In fact, we are to shake salt and shine light. But as Jesus said when we are treated this way, remember we have the Holy Spirit within us giving us the power to testify about the truth of God, the truth of Jesus with the truth this world so desperately needs to hear.
Trust in the words of Jesus, He is the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
No matter what this worlds words are to us or about us, whatever comes at us let's focus on Jesus' words. He knows with the Holy Spirit's power we can face anything.
People have strong reactions when it comes to the name and person of Jesus. There is very little, if any fence sitting when it comes to how people react to Him. Jesus says exactly this in John 15. He says if people hated Him they will hate the Father; even if they see His miracles they despise both Jesus and His Father. Now today, we hear so many talk about their belief in God but at the same time don't respond in belief to Jesus. There's almost this disconnect between the two in our society today. Even more is when we talk about the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says at the end of John 15 that if you stand for Him people will not like you; they will persecute you just as they persecuted Jesus (v. 20). Now just because we're told the world will respond to us like this, it doesn't give us the right to encourage this animosity with the world. In fact, we are to shake salt and shine light. But as Jesus said when we are treated this way, remember we have the Holy Spirit within us giving us the power to testify about the truth of God, the truth of Jesus with the truth this world so desperately needs to hear.
Trust in the words of Jesus, He is the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
No matter what this worlds words are to us or about us, whatever comes at us let's focus on Jesus' words. He knows with the Holy Spirit's power we can face anything.
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