Hebrews 12:2 "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..."
When we think about life and what we want to accomplish, we think of great things. Every couple walks down the isle thinking of the "happily ever after" type of marriage. People going into business for themselves think of all the money their going to make. Athletes dream of making the winning shot, or run for the TD when the seconds are ticking. Christians who think that everyday is going to be sunny and full blessings.
I don't think that there's anything wrong with these dreams and desires, but we must realize that a healthy and lasting marriage, success in business or athletics, or even a genuine walk of victorious faith comes with a great price. Even as a Pastors, my wife and I desire our ministry and the church to be effective and influential. But no matter what arena of life, success starts when we "look unto Jesus". Why? Because He's the one who is the author (giver) and finisher of our hopes and dreams, not ourselves. He is the one who has gifted us, positions us and gives purpose in life. It not only brings us fulfillment and joy, but it brings joy to Jesus as well.
BUT... before there is joy, there is always the cross, and we must endure it. What's the cross? The cross is sacrifice, it's struggle, work, painful learning through experiences, fighting discouragement, working through fears, overcoming lack and conditions that aren't favorable. When we're not directly under the weight of the cross, we tell ourselves: "I understand that... no pain, no gain". However, when we actually undergo the pain of the cross, we forget "the joy set before us".
What's going to allow us to endure the cross? Joy... the same joy and dreams that launched us on the journey in the first place. When my wife and I have a conflict, I know that if we work through it, we will be another step closer to a healthier marriage. Keeping our joy before us is a God given way for us to endure the weight of the cross. Jesus kept the joy of restoring us before Him. His love compelled Him to finish the mission He was sent to do.
Regardless if the pain and struggle you're in, look to Jesus. Remember: He places that gift and dream in your heart. He's preparing you for what's ahead. Everyone will face the cross... but keep you're eyes on Jesus, and keep reminding yourself of the joy that waits on the other side.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Don't Be A Typical Christian
John 17:15 - "I'm not asking You [God] to take them out of the world... "
This is just one line out of an entire chapter that records Jesus praying. Just to know that Jesus prayed for us is amazing; you should read it some time... Anyhow, the part that stood out to me was this statement: "I'm not asking you to take them out of the world..."
It's really funny to think about how Christians live their lives. I can remember that when I decided to be a follower of Christ, the church I attended taught: "Now that you're a Christian, you need to stop hanging out with your non-christian friends, stop listening to non-christian music, don't participate in non-christian activities like school dances." My parents wouldn't even let me go to the movie theaters to watch any movies because they were non-christian.
In the 80's (their back by the way), Christian schools, christian music, christian clothing, christian TV and christian bumper stickers became big. Now, I'm only guessing, but what was the motive behind that? Was it because the "world" was enemy? Was it such a dark and evil place, that we had to remove ourselves from these influences?
Sad to say, many of the christian who grew up with such teaching find themselves today not having any relationships or connections with anyone who isn't a christian. So the thought of bringing your non-christian friends to church is difficult for them because they don't know any. Statistically, less than 3% of American churches are growing. Some say it's because the preacher isn't charismatic enough, or the music isn't up to date... what about the fact that most christian people have removed themselves from a natural mission field... the world. Our schools, our work place, the neighborhoods, the ball games, the bowling leagues... these are the places that Jesus has called us to be an influence. (BTW - not everyone who goes to christian schools, has a christian bumper sticker on their car, or wears a christian t-shirt is a christian)
Look around you, in all the arenas of your life. There are people, and no matter what they may be involved with, or the lifestyle they live; all of them are loved by God and He desires that they would know the reality of who He is. God isn't sending angels to their door once a week to tell them about Jesus. God has called us to be people of influence in this world. Don't pull out of the world and the circles of people who don't believe like you or talk like you. Be in their world... just a God came to ours through Jesus Christ. You may have to deliberately go and introduce yourself to people you don't know. You see them at the gym, the grocery store, school, at your kids soccer games or favorite resturaunt. Invite new people out for coffee or to the house for a BBQ. Double date for dinner and a movie... don't take yourself out of the world!
This is just one line out of an entire chapter that records Jesus praying. Just to know that Jesus prayed for us is amazing; you should read it some time... Anyhow, the part that stood out to me was this statement: "I'm not asking you to take them out of the world..."
It's really funny to think about how Christians live their lives. I can remember that when I decided to be a follower of Christ, the church I attended taught: "Now that you're a Christian, you need to stop hanging out with your non-christian friends, stop listening to non-christian music, don't participate in non-christian activities like school dances." My parents wouldn't even let me go to the movie theaters to watch any movies because they were non-christian.
In the 80's (their back by the way), Christian schools, christian music, christian clothing, christian TV and christian bumper stickers became big. Now, I'm only guessing, but what was the motive behind that? Was it because the "world" was enemy? Was it such a dark and evil place, that we had to remove ourselves from these influences?
Sad to say, many of the christian who grew up with such teaching find themselves today not having any relationships or connections with anyone who isn't a christian. So the thought of bringing your non-christian friends to church is difficult for them because they don't know any. Statistically, less than 3% of American churches are growing. Some say it's because the preacher isn't charismatic enough, or the music isn't up to date... what about the fact that most christian people have removed themselves from a natural mission field... the world. Our schools, our work place, the neighborhoods, the ball games, the bowling leagues... these are the places that Jesus has called us to be an influence. (BTW - not everyone who goes to christian schools, has a christian bumper sticker on their car, or wears a christian t-shirt is a christian)
Look around you, in all the arenas of your life. There are people, and no matter what they may be involved with, or the lifestyle they live; all of them are loved by God and He desires that they would know the reality of who He is. God isn't sending angels to their door once a week to tell them about Jesus. God has called us to be people of influence in this world. Don't pull out of the world and the circles of people who don't believe like you or talk like you. Be in their world... just a God came to ours through Jesus Christ. You may have to deliberately go and introduce yourself to people you don't know. You see them at the gym, the grocery store, school, at your kids soccer games or favorite resturaunt. Invite new people out for coffee or to the house for a BBQ. Double date for dinner and a movie... don't take yourself out of the world!
A Reconciled Life
2 Corinthians 5:19 "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ..."
I don't know if I will ever fully understand the depth of this verse. The simple part of this is that God desired to have restored relationship with us, His most precious of all creation. Think of reconciling in terms of your finances, like our checkbook (for many it's online banking... I'm still old school). The purpose of reconciling your account is to make sure that your records balance with the what the bank has on record. This keeps things in sync and helps avoid being over drawn.
The part that is so overwhelming with this verse is that God took it upon Himself to balance our life... not me balancing it. Before the days of online banking, one would take their bank statement from the mailbox and open their check book and go line by line to make sure that everything was accounted for. Sometimes a check would be forgotten and the two seperate records would not reconcile. You would rack your brain trying to recount where you've been and what you spent your money on. Some people didn't bother keeping track at all, and would open up their bank statement and would find themselves either pleasantly surprised by the amount of money they had or fearful of what they didn't have.
God could have put the weight of responsibility on us (our records) to reconcile with Him, but He reconciled our life with Himself... His records with His records. God understood that we were dead in our sins, and had no idea how "over drawn" we were, and provided a way to make us reconcile with Him; the life of Jesus Christ. As real as this is, some people still try to reconcile their life with God by their own means: acts of kindness, trying to be good people, not get into too much trouble, etc. All these thing aren't sufficent to reconcile us with God. Basically, they reject God's gift and plan of settling accounts by relying on their own records and methods.
I know I'm not God, but if I were... I would be sad, frustrated, angry and frankly insulted at the rejection such an act of kindness that was made available through my Son Jesus Christ. I find myself trying to be self-sufficient at times, paying no attention to what "debts of sin" I have built up. These include words spoken, attitudes, being rude and causing hurt in peole, in my anger reacting wrongly.
Where would I be without God's love for me? I can't even imagine the questions and fears I would have hoping and praying that I've done enough to make things right with God. He removed all doubts by giving His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. And to think that all I have to do is acknowledge and repent of my sins and confess Jesus as the Savior of my soul. To devote everyday of my life in humility and faith in Christ Jesus. That's too much for me to comprehend. Thank God for His love for me!
I don't know if I will ever fully understand the depth of this verse. The simple part of this is that God desired to have restored relationship with us, His most precious of all creation. Think of reconciling in terms of your finances, like our checkbook (for many it's online banking... I'm still old school). The purpose of reconciling your account is to make sure that your records balance with the what the bank has on record. This keeps things in sync and helps avoid being over drawn.
The part that is so overwhelming with this verse is that God took it upon Himself to balance our life... not me balancing it. Before the days of online banking, one would take their bank statement from the mailbox and open their check book and go line by line to make sure that everything was accounted for. Sometimes a check would be forgotten and the two seperate records would not reconcile. You would rack your brain trying to recount where you've been and what you spent your money on. Some people didn't bother keeping track at all, and would open up their bank statement and would find themselves either pleasantly surprised by the amount of money they had or fearful of what they didn't have.
God could have put the weight of responsibility on us (our records) to reconcile with Him, but He reconciled our life with Himself... His records with His records. God understood that we were dead in our sins, and had no idea how "over drawn" we were, and provided a way to make us reconcile with Him; the life of Jesus Christ. As real as this is, some people still try to reconcile their life with God by their own means: acts of kindness, trying to be good people, not get into too much trouble, etc. All these thing aren't sufficent to reconcile us with God. Basically, they reject God's gift and plan of settling accounts by relying on their own records and methods.
I know I'm not God, but if I were... I would be sad, frustrated, angry and frankly insulted at the rejection such an act of kindness that was made available through my Son Jesus Christ. I find myself trying to be self-sufficient at times, paying no attention to what "debts of sin" I have built up. These include words spoken, attitudes, being rude and causing hurt in peole, in my anger reacting wrongly.
Where would I be without God's love for me? I can't even imagine the questions and fears I would have hoping and praying that I've done enough to make things right with God. He removed all doubts by giving His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. And to think that all I have to do is acknowledge and repent of my sins and confess Jesus as the Savior of my soul. To devote everyday of my life in humility and faith in Christ Jesus. That's too much for me to comprehend. Thank God for His love for me!
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