2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
God is a God of second chances. This New Year, it is important to remember that.
Whatever defeated you, whatever held you back in 2015, is part of the "old things" that have "passed away" - and you are "new" in Christ.
The price God paid for your redemption is far too precious for you to hang on to old blame, and guilt. No sin on earth approaches the power of the blood that set you free.
When you place your faith in Jesus, you are not only cleansed by His blood, you no longer bear any resemblance to the sinner who committed those transgressions. You are re-born as a "new creature". God says "...I will not remember your sins" (Isaiah 43:25) because frankly, they have nothing to do with you. "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
When you consider the price He paid, you will know it is not a partial fix ... anything that incomprehensibly expensive is, and must be, a final resolution ... if you hear a voice saying you are still stained....it is not God.
Take this new year, and make it a year of Grace... Grace accepted, and grace offered.
As Jesus breathed his last mortal breath he said "It is finished!"... He was referring to your redemption..... live your life in the freedom produced by the finality of that statement.
His mercies are new each morning, and your "newness" was bought at a high price. Use it well.
"Perhaps the butterfly is God's way of showing that you can go through a great deal of darkness, and still become something beautiful" - anonymous
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Luke 2:11 Isaiah 55:9 12/22/15*2*
Luke 2:11
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
...and that changes everything.
That sentence changed the trajectory of human history forever. Our calendar is based on this event, as though one countdown ended and another began when this child was born.
As you celebrate this holiday season, take a moment to strip away everything that distracts from the actual meaning of Christ's birth. The lights, the gifts, the tree, all of it... even the good things like family, friends, and spending time together...while nice, they have little to do with the actual phenomenon we celebrate.
Forget all the traditions and consider this one moment in history, as though it is the first time you've heard of it..." a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah"
In the greatest act of love ever recorded, God sent a sacrifice to change us from objects of wrath, to objects of love. To offer us a relationship instead of rules. This act of love transformed us from a people separated from a Holy God, to children encouraged to enter the thrown-room and crawl into the lap of the King.
The impact of this birth is impossible to over emphasize, and the benefits of this gift are of a magnitude that we cannot fully comprehend. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
Enjoy celebrating this Christmas season. Enjoy the blessing of family and loved ones.
But take time to step back, strip away the distractions, and realize that we are celebrating the most pivotal event in all of eternity
....and that this birth, and your response to it.....literally....changes everything.
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
2 Corinthians 7:10 Psalm 51:4 John 8:11 12/15/15
2 Corinthians 7:10
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
We seem to view all sorrow the same way....as something to be avoided. But there is a difference in worldly sorrow, and Godly sorrow.
Worldly sorrow is self focused and does not lead to change. It leads to more self centered sorrow. It produces the self pity that makes us all victims.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is God focused and brings us to something vital to salvation...and that is repentance. "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." (Psalm 51:4)
It is important to realize that Godly sorrow is not repentance...but it leads to it. Godly sorrow is the catalyst that moves us to agree with God's judgement, and change direction, and that is repentance.
To the women caught in adultery Jesus said “...neither do I condemn you,” then He said “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11) We eagerly accept that we are not condemned, but sometimes miss the call to repent. Repentance means we change the reason, and the way we live.
You do not change so you can be saved....you are saved so you can be changed.
The power of the Holy Spirit is what brings repentance, frees you from sin, and allows you to become "a new creation".
There is no way to overemphasis the importance of that fact. If we try to change on our own power, we fall back into worldly sorrow, and continue downward until something dies.
Agree with God. Accept His judgement. Accept His loving Grace.
....then allow His Spirit to lead you to repentance and a life that reflects the trans-formative power of the cross.
"The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
We seem to view all sorrow the same way....as something to be avoided. But there is a difference in worldly sorrow, and Godly sorrow.
Worldly sorrow is self focused and does not lead to change. It leads to more self centered sorrow. It produces the self pity that makes us all victims.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is God focused and brings us to something vital to salvation...and that is repentance. "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." (Psalm 51:4)
It is important to realize that Godly sorrow is not repentance...but it leads to it. Godly sorrow is the catalyst that moves us to agree with God's judgement, and change direction, and that is repentance.
To the women caught in adultery Jesus said “...neither do I condemn you,” then He said “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11) We eagerly accept that we are not condemned, but sometimes miss the call to repent. Repentance means we change the reason, and the way we live.
You do not change so you can be saved....you are saved so you can be changed.
The power of the Holy Spirit is what brings repentance, frees you from sin, and allows you to become "a new creation".
There is no way to overemphasis the importance of that fact. If we try to change on our own power, we fall back into worldly sorrow, and continue downward until something dies.
Agree with God. Accept His judgement. Accept His loving Grace.
....then allow His Spirit to lead you to repentance and a life that reflects the trans-formative power of the cross.
"The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
James 1:2 1 Peter 4:12 Romans 8:39 12/8/15
James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
To understand this verse we have to understand the meaning of Joy.
Most people confuse Joy with happiness. But it is much deeper, and does not depend on circumstance.
In this verse, trials are seen as "spiritual weightlifting"....and joy is the "burn" you get when it is done correctly. Not a pleasant feeling, but there is satisfaction when it is achieved. That burn tells you that you are getting stronger, and athletes intentionally push themselves until they feel it.
God says Trials should be viewed in the same way. The temporary pain will build permanent endurance.
If our culture lacks anything today, it is endurance. We are accustomed to instant gratification, and we are quick to wave the white flag if things get difficult. It seems we have been taught that it should be easy...but God never said that, in fact He said the opposite:
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." ( 1 Peter 4:12)
In other words, we should not be surprised by trials, and when they come we should view them as opportunities to grow. We must be encouraged when we feel the burn, and know that we are gaining strength.
Add to that encouragement the fact that..." neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:39) .....and that combination of "encouragement and inseparability", is the definition of "Joy".
To understand this verse we have to understand the meaning of Joy.
Most people confuse Joy with happiness. But it is much deeper, and does not depend on circumstance.
In this verse, trials are seen as "spiritual weightlifting"....and joy is the "burn" you get when it is done correctly. Not a pleasant feeling, but there is satisfaction when it is achieved. That burn tells you that you are getting stronger, and athletes intentionally push themselves until they feel it.
God says Trials should be viewed in the same way. The temporary pain will build permanent endurance.
If our culture lacks anything today, it is endurance. We are accustomed to instant gratification, and we are quick to wave the white flag if things get difficult. It seems we have been taught that it should be easy...but God never said that, in fact He said the opposite:
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." ( 1 Peter 4:12)
In other words, we should not be surprised by trials, and when they come we should view them as opportunities to grow. We must be encouraged when we feel the burn, and know that we are gaining strength.
Add to that encouragement the fact that..." neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:39) .....and that combination of "encouragement and inseparability", is the definition of "Joy".
"The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction."
Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon
Joy is not in things; it is in us.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
2 Timothy 1:7 2 Cor 10:5 12/1/15
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We live in a culture paralyzed by fear and anxiety. We worry about offending.
We worry about being excluded. We worry about worrying.
All that creates in you something God never intended... Fear
If you are feeling timid or fearful, then those feelings did not come from God.
God has placed you here to accomplish amazing things. There are no JV Christians. No one is second team, intended to watch from the sidelines. God has equipped you with everything you need to make a huge impact on the world around you....but you cannot be afraid.
Instead God has GIVEN you power, love, and a sound mind. You don't have to pray for them -
He has given them to you already....you just have to use them.
Stop letting fear make you weak.
Stop letting hate take away your power.
Stop letting your thoughts control you... instead you control them. God tells us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5)
Courage is not ignorance of danger, it is simply trusting a power larger than that danger.
If you choose faith and reject fear, it will alter your life. It will let you live, and love courageously.
Let's boldly act with purpose, and impact everyone God puts in our path.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We live in a culture paralyzed by fear and anxiety. We worry about offending.
We worry about being excluded. We worry about worrying.
All that creates in you something God never intended... Fear
If you are feeling timid or fearful, then those feelings did not come from God.
God has placed you here to accomplish amazing things. There are no JV Christians. No one is second team, intended to watch from the sidelines. God has equipped you with everything you need to make a huge impact on the world around you....but you cannot be afraid.
Instead God has GIVEN you power, love, and a sound mind. You don't have to pray for them -
He has given them to you already....you just have to use them.
Stop letting fear make you weak.
Stop letting hate take away your power.
Stop letting your thoughts control you... instead you control them. God tells us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5)
Courage is not ignorance of danger, it is simply trusting a power larger than that danger.
If you choose faith and reject fear, it will alter your life. It will let you live, and love courageously.
Let's boldly act with purpose, and impact everyone God puts in our path.
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
John 13:35 11/24/15
John 13:35
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus says the proof the world will use to determine whether or not you follow Him, is how you treat each other.
Based on that criteria alone, could you be convicted of being a Christian?
If you had to take off the Cross necklace, the christian T-shirt, the fish sticker off your car, and couldn't point to church attendance...would a jury convict you of following Christ because of your love for others?
Strip away all the external trappings - and honestly consider that question.
If , with no other information, the jury watched how you treat your family, how you treat the waiter at the restaurant, what you put on social media ....would they think you treat others in a way that marks you as a disciple of Christ?
Jesus says that loving each other is the only admissible evidence that the world will consider.
Let's be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.... Lets go out and perform acts of kindness, give to those in need, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. This, and this alone validates our witness in the world's eyes, and earns us the right to be heard regarding our faith.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus says the proof the world will use to determine whether or not you follow Him, is how you treat each other.
Based on that criteria alone, could you be convicted of being a Christian?
If you had to take off the Cross necklace, the christian T-shirt, the fish sticker off your car, and couldn't point to church attendance...would a jury convict you of following Christ because of your love for others?
Strip away all the external trappings - and honestly consider that question.
If , with no other information, the jury watched how you treat your family, how you treat the waiter at the restaurant, what you put on social media ....would they think you treat others in a way that marks you as a disciple of Christ?
Jesus says that loving each other is the only admissible evidence that the world will consider.
Let's be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.... Lets go out and perform acts of kindness, give to those in need, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. This, and this alone validates our witness in the world's eyes, and earns us the right to be heard regarding our faith.
By the way, the world is right. If we love God, we will love each other - and it will show.
"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving" - Robert Louis Stevenson
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Acts 19:13-15 Joshua 24:15 11/17/15
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ........ 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”
The demon's answer is interesting . The evil spirit obviously knew Jesus. And there is a good bible study in the question "who are you?"... But what I want to discuss today is that fact that the evil spirit had heard of Paul.
The demon knew about Paul because he was an impact player for the Kingdom of God. Paul was preaching the Word, planting churches, and living his life completely committed to Christ. He was focused on the business of God, and was being used by God to make a difference.
Let me jump right to the challenge. Are you living a life so filled with the power of the Cross that the enemy knows your name? Are you a difference maker? Do you treat your family in a way that glorifies God? Do you conduct business with an integrity that points to Christ? Is making disciples "your" great commission?
It all comes down to focus....Jesus said you can not serve two masters....
Are you pursuing the shallow, meaningless trinkets this world offers, or are you running with reckless abandon toward the cross?
God has given you the power to do great things.. But it's your choice. Choose today to serve one Master, start living in a way that advances the Kingdom of God, and by God's power the gates of hell will know who you are.
.... choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,.... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
The demon's answer is interesting . The evil spirit obviously knew Jesus. And there is a good bible study in the question "who are you?"... But what I want to discuss today is that fact that the evil spirit had heard of Paul.
The demon knew about Paul because he was an impact player for the Kingdom of God. Paul was preaching the Word, planting churches, and living his life completely committed to Christ. He was focused on the business of God, and was being used by God to make a difference.
Let me jump right to the challenge. Are you living a life so filled with the power of the Cross that the enemy knows your name? Are you a difference maker? Do you treat your family in a way that glorifies God? Do you conduct business with an integrity that points to Christ? Is making disciples "your" great commission?
It all comes down to focus....Jesus said you can not serve two masters....
Are you pursuing the shallow, meaningless trinkets this world offers, or are you running with reckless abandon toward the cross?
God has given you the power to do great things.. But it's your choice. Choose today to serve one Master, start living in a way that advances the Kingdom of God, and by God's power the gates of hell will know who you are.
.... choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,.... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Matthew 5: 23 11/10/15
Matthew 5: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Many people interpret this passage to say that you cannot properly give an offering to God when you are alienated from others.
While that is accurate, in context, it may mean more. These verses speak of the importance of never leaving disagreements unsettled. Jesus is teaching on the commandment not to kill, and adds that even those who are "angry" with their brother are in "danger of judgement". He then highlights the importance of reconciliation and says, no matter what you're doing, even if you have begun to worship... if you remember an offence ....stop, and go fix it.
In our culture people say that "time heals all wounds", but that is not true. Time does not heal all wounds, in fact it deepens some . Small disagreements, left untreated, become huge divides that never heal. There are instances where people literally don't remember the original issue, but since it was never addressed, their relationships remain broken.
Anger and bitterness need nothing but darkness to grow.
Jesus says immediately shine light on them.
No matter what you're doing, if you remember an issue, go deal with it. Don't let it take root. If God brings it to your mind...go do what you can to fix it.
Nothing is more painful, than the realization that you have wasted years being too prideful or busy to go to a friend or family member and try to show them that you love them too much to be apart.
whatever it is....do it now.
Many people interpret this passage to say that you cannot properly give an offering to God when you are alienated from others.
While that is accurate, in context, it may mean more. These verses speak of the importance of never leaving disagreements unsettled. Jesus is teaching on the commandment not to kill, and adds that even those who are "angry" with their brother are in "danger of judgement". He then highlights the importance of reconciliation and says, no matter what you're doing, even if you have begun to worship... if you remember an offence ....stop, and go fix it.
In our culture people say that "time heals all wounds", but that is not true. Time does not heal all wounds, in fact it deepens some . Small disagreements, left untreated, become huge divides that never heal. There are instances where people literally don't remember the original issue, but since it was never addressed, their relationships remain broken.
Anger and bitterness need nothing but darkness to grow.
Jesus says immediately shine light on them.
No matter what you're doing, if you remember an issue, go deal with it. Don't let it take root. If God brings it to your mind...go do what you can to fix it.
Nothing is more painful, than the realization that you have wasted years being too prideful or busy to go to a friend or family member and try to show them that you love them too much to be apart.
whatever it is....do it now.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Mark 4:37 Romans 8:39 11/4/2015
Mark 4:37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The last question in this passage sometimes goes unnoticed as we try to comprehend a man who can tell the sea to "Be Still!". But the question is important.
Jesus asks His disciples, "do you still have no faith?", and I think emphasis was on the word "Still".....At this point they had lived and walked with Jesus...they had watched Him drive out demons, heal the sick, tell the crippled to walk, and much, more
...yet when danger arouse they still panicked, and questioned his plan, power, and affection for them.
How many times, when our personal worlds are threatened, do we become self absorbed - asking "God do you not care?" ....And how many times must He think "do you STILL have no faith?" Have you forgotten the times I have blessed you? Have you forgotten the times I have delivered you? Have you forgotten the price I paid to redeem your soul?
We have to resist the temptation to become self centered, and dramatic in our trials.
We must remember that the One we pray to tells the storm to "Be Still!" and it obeys. We must remember the miracles performed that have brought us to this point....and above all we must remember that His love for us is undeniable and limitless...." neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
The last question in this passage sometimes goes unnoticed as we try to comprehend a man who can tell the sea to "Be Still!". But the question is important.
Jesus asks His disciples, "do you still have no faith?", and I think emphasis was on the word "Still".....At this point they had lived and walked with Jesus...they had watched Him drive out demons, heal the sick, tell the crippled to walk, and much, more
...yet when danger arouse they still panicked, and questioned his plan, power, and affection for them.
How many times, when our personal worlds are threatened, do we become self absorbed - asking "God do you not care?" ....And how many times must He think "do you STILL have no faith?" Have you forgotten the times I have blessed you? Have you forgotten the times I have delivered you? Have you forgotten the price I paid to redeem your soul?
We have to resist the temptation to become self centered, and dramatic in our trials.
We must remember that the One we pray to tells the storm to "Be Still!" and it obeys. We must remember the miracles performed that have brought us to this point....and above all we must remember that His love for us is undeniable and limitless...." neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
John 11:35 Psalm 56:8 1 Thes 4:13 Isaiah 25:8 10/27/15
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
You probably think I didn't feel like preparing this week so I picked everyone's favorite memory verse. But this little verse contains an amazing truth.
Jesus' friend Lazarus had died and Jesus was going to his hometown to call him out of the grave. On the way Lazarus' sister, Mary, met them and fell at Jesus' feet and wept.
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)
The question is why?...what brought Him to tears?...He was coming to raise Lazarus from the Dead...why didn't Jesus just smile?... after all He was there to save the day.
Why would the toughest man in all of history, who will later be beaten, spit upon, and crucified without the slightest thought of himself, weep at that moment?
I believe the answer is in verse 33....His heart broke for her broken heart, just like it does for yours. God knows His plan, but that doesn't mean he ignores your pain. Psalm 56:8 says of God that .."you have collected all my tears in your bottle". That means your tears are important to Him, not one goes unnoticed.
So know that when you go through seasons of pain, God not only understands your tears, He is "deeply moved" and weeps with you. His heart hurts for you
We "do not not grieve as do the rest who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13) because we have been promised that the day will come when we will weep no more. "The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces"(Isaiah 25:8)
But until then never be ashamed to cry, and rest assured you never cry alone.
You probably think I didn't feel like preparing this week so I picked everyone's favorite memory verse. But this little verse contains an amazing truth.
Jesus' friend Lazarus had died and Jesus was going to his hometown to call him out of the grave. On the way Lazarus' sister, Mary, met them and fell at Jesus' feet and wept.
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)
The question is why?...what brought Him to tears?...He was coming to raise Lazarus from the Dead...why didn't Jesus just smile?... after all He was there to save the day.
Why would the toughest man in all of history, who will later be beaten, spit upon, and crucified without the slightest thought of himself, weep at that moment?
I believe the answer is in verse 33....His heart broke for her broken heart, just like it does for yours. God knows His plan, but that doesn't mean he ignores your pain. Psalm 56:8 says of God that .."you have collected all my tears in your bottle". That means your tears are important to Him, not one goes unnoticed.
So know that when you go through seasons of pain, God not only understands your tears, He is "deeply moved" and weeps with you. His heart hurts for you
We "do not not grieve as do the rest who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13) because we have been promised that the day will come when we will weep no more. "The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces"(Isaiah 25:8)
But until then never be ashamed to cry, and rest assured you never cry alone.
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