Read James 4:1-6
Fights and quarrels - nobody wants them but they often come anyway. James 4 speaks about what causes these fights - it's what's inside us, the natural wants and desires, what we covet but can't have. So we wrestle. We wrestle because what we want, we don't always get. And James tells us it's because of our wrong motives.
What God wants is for us to be humble, not insistent on our way, our wants. Because when we are humble we realize His grace. James 4:6 tells us "he gives us more grace." When we realize the value of grace we recognize something new pouring over us that begins to change us from the inside out because what used to be our ways and our wants changes. It changes to God's ways and God's wants.
What James says next should cause us to pause and take notice. Anytime the Bible says God opposes something we should take notice. He says "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humbe." When God's grace like rain pours over us we realize what a gift it is to receive God's grace. Humbled we respond to begin living with His good and Godly motives and not wrong motives; humbed we respond by investing in our friendship with God instead of friendship with this world. Humbled we respond to His gift of more grace. Allow God's grace to pour over you this week like rain - remembering who we are and who He is so that we might not be among the fights and quarrels, but intead be among the peace makers as ambassadors for Jesus.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Any Less?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Spiritual things, specifically spiritual gifts is what Paul's addressing as he writes the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. He's crystal clear - spiritual gifts are for the common good (meant to glorify God and build up, edify the body of believers). And he makes it abundantly clear no one in the body of Christ is any less important because of the gifts, ministry and service God has assigned every believer.
Does this inspire you? It's meant to. No matter who you are, what you do God has specifically called each and every believer into ministry service for Him and His people. Let that sink in for a moment. There's no believer we will ever lock eyes with who hasn't been assigned an important role in the family of God.
The key is to find out if you don't yet know your role and if you do know your role, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to use your spiritual gifts for the common good. For those who don't know their spiritual gifts, their passion for ministry and how they will be part of this great Christian calling please take Class 301 at Hope (or if you're not part of Hope, that's ok take the spiritual gifts class at the church you do attend). This is so important - don't waste another moment. Get in the game, now! God needs you and so does the church!
Spiritual things, specifically spiritual gifts is what Paul's addressing as he writes the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. He's crystal clear - spiritual gifts are for the common good (meant to glorify God and build up, edify the body of believers). And he makes it abundantly clear no one in the body of Christ is any less important because of the gifts, ministry and service God has assigned every believer.
Does this inspire you? It's meant to. No matter who you are, what you do God has specifically called each and every believer into ministry service for Him and His people. Let that sink in for a moment. There's no believer we will ever lock eyes with who hasn't been assigned an important role in the family of God.
The key is to find out if you don't yet know your role and if you do know your role, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to use your spiritual gifts for the common good. For those who don't know their spiritual gifts, their passion for ministry and how they will be part of this great Christian calling please take Class 301 at Hope (or if you're not part of Hope, that's ok take the spiritual gifts class at the church you do attend). This is so important - don't waste another moment. Get in the game, now! God needs you and so does the church!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The Sovereign LORD says
Read Ezekiel 3:22-27
The title in the NIV Bible that begins Ezekiel 3 says "Ezekiel, God's watchman." That, in and of itself, comes across as a very lofty title for Ezekiel as God's messenger. With such a title you would think respect and admiration and listening and following would happen when Ezekiel spoke. But in fact, the end of the chapter tells us another story.
While the Spirit came into him and powered him, God told him what to say to Israel. Go and say, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." Today, much like back in Ezekiel's day, we know all too well that some will listen and some will refuse. And the reason is the same, rebellion.
I know it sounds harsh, but it's what God tells us over and over again. The point isn't to preach the word of God and care less about what response we get. No, the point is when we preach the word, when we share God's truth we will get mixed responses. And when we do it should break our hearts because it breaks God's heart.
God wants everyone, everywhere to hear the truth because as Jesus said in John 8:32 - "the truth will set you free." Since this is what God wants let's want the same for those we know who are caught in something, anything that is in rebellion to God. And remember all people, believers and unbelievers, act in rebellion against God. Let it be our desire to hear what the Sovereign LORD says and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
God's best for a great week following Him!
The title in the NIV Bible that begins Ezekiel 3 says "Ezekiel, God's watchman." That, in and of itself, comes across as a very lofty title for Ezekiel as God's messenger. With such a title you would think respect and admiration and listening and following would happen when Ezekiel spoke. But in fact, the end of the chapter tells us another story.
While the Spirit came into him and powered him, God told him what to say to Israel. Go and say, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." Today, much like back in Ezekiel's day, we know all too well that some will listen and some will refuse. And the reason is the same, rebellion.
I know it sounds harsh, but it's what God tells us over and over again. The point isn't to preach the word of God and care less about what response we get. No, the point is when we preach the word, when we share God's truth we will get mixed responses. And when we do it should break our hearts because it breaks God's heart.
God wants everyone, everywhere to hear the truth because as Jesus said in John 8:32 - "the truth will set you free." Since this is what God wants let's want the same for those we know who are caught in something, anything that is in rebellion to God. And remember all people, believers and unbelievers, act in rebellion against God. Let it be our desire to hear what the Sovereign LORD says and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
God's best for a great week following Him!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A Day's Coming...
Read Isaiah 26:1-4
A day is coming when this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Do we wish for this day? There are many times I do. This is about the promise of God; His salvation offered to the nation made righteous by faith. And He will keep in perfect peace - I love that phrase because peace is one thing, but perfect peace is, well, perfect! The one whose mind is faithful and trusting in God. And I love how the song ends - the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Nothing can shake us outside of God's care and control; nothing can overcome us when we are in His powerful hands; and nothing can disturb us because a day is coming when perfect peace will be ours.
Longing for this day is our hope, it is our joy and it is our faith in Jesus and His finished work that will enable us to rest in this perfect peace. Regardless what we face today, a day's coming when His perfect peace will keep us. Trust today in the Rock eternal.
A day is coming when this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Do we wish for this day? There are many times I do. This is about the promise of God; His salvation offered to the nation made righteous by faith. And He will keep in perfect peace - I love that phrase because peace is one thing, but perfect peace is, well, perfect! The one whose mind is faithful and trusting in God. And I love how the song ends - the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Nothing can shake us outside of God's care and control; nothing can overcome us when we are in His powerful hands; and nothing can disturb us because a day is coming when perfect peace will be ours.
Longing for this day is our hope, it is our joy and it is our faith in Jesus and His finished work that will enable us to rest in this perfect peace. Regardless what we face today, a day's coming when His perfect peace will keep us. Trust today in the Rock eternal.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Walk in the Word
Read John 1:1-5
When we think about Jesus it's difficult not to think about this passage in John 1 because it tells us He was with God in the beginning, through Him all things were made and in Him was life.
That's true today - in Him there is life. When I talk with people about Jesus I'm often reminded that His life and His word are what we need. Very simply it's about looking at Jesus' life and following Him. But so often we take our eyes off Him, we take our eyes off the word and we begin looking at other things that distract us from following Jesus.
The word was given to us, the written word that is, to help us know the way we ought to walk in this life so that we are living for Him. Think about it - in every relationship, in every situation, in every thing we can imagine God wants us following the Word.
Take the time to allow the Word to be part of your daily walk with Jesus. Allow Him to speak to you as much as you speak to Him and see, just see if your walk becomes closer as you allow Him to come closer to you.
When we think about Jesus it's difficult not to think about this passage in John 1 because it tells us He was with God in the beginning, through Him all things were made and in Him was life.
That's true today - in Him there is life. When I talk with people about Jesus I'm often reminded that His life and His word are what we need. Very simply it's about looking at Jesus' life and following Him. But so often we take our eyes off Him, we take our eyes off the word and we begin looking at other things that distract us from following Jesus.
The word was given to us, the written word that is, to help us know the way we ought to walk in this life so that we are living for Him. Think about it - in every relationship, in every situation, in every thing we can imagine God wants us following the Word.
Take the time to allow the Word to be part of your daily walk with Jesus. Allow Him to speak to you as much as you speak to Him and see, just see if your walk becomes closer as you allow Him to come closer to you.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Understanding...
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.
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 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.
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