God loves it when we “praise” Him. Psalm 22:3 portrays a picture of “God inhabiting the praises of His people”. The Hebrew essence of “inhabited” is a depiction of the Lord sitting down and dwelling. Our praises are so precious to Him that He stops and abides with us in the very midst of our praise. Think about that. The word “praise” occurs nearly 300 times in scripture. Interestingly, a vast majority of those references are in The Psalms, including:
Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” ESV
Psalm 22:22 “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will raise you.” ESV
Psalm 22:23 “You who fear the LORD, praise Him…glorify Him…stand in awe of Him…” ESV
Psalm 33:1 “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” ESV
Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” ESV
Psalm 113:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!” ESV
Are the waters deep? Are you lonely? Discouraged? Do you find yourself even doubting whether or not God hears your prayers or cares about your troubles? Every time you try to “look on the bright side” is a dark future all you see? Maybe it’s time to praise Him and ask Him to come and dwell in your life.
When it begins to rain in your life, praise Him. When you can’t breathe, praise him. He is in the midst of it all. The chorus of one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs says, “And I’ll praise you in this storm — and I will lift my hands — for You are who You are — no matter where I am…” You may not sing your troubles away, but I’ll bet you feel the presence of One who sticks closer than a brother. And I promise you that when He “inhabits your praise” it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Laugh Again
Kids smile an average of 45 times an hour, and they will “belly laugh” 1 time every 7.5 minutes. By the time we become an adult that drops to 15 times a day. In hospitals it is nearly 0. When was the last time you had a good laugh? The popular saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” is not actually a bible quote. However, the concept comes directly out of the book of Proverbs:“A happy heart is good medicine, and a cheerful mind works healing…” (17:22 Amplified Bible)
The focus of this verse is inward, on a happy heart. The function of the verse is outward, working healing. What’s interesting is that the word translated “medicine” in this verse, literally means the “removal of a bandage, the healing of a wound.” (Strong’s Concordance)
Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a seventeenth-century physician, claimed that “The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty mules laden with drugs.”
Determine to let your thoughts and attitudes reflect the “joy of the Lord”. He is in control and His love toward us is steadfast. A cheerful disposition out of the overflow of our heart also, will often bring healing to those we come into contact with. Stop living with your head hung down, focusing on the negative, and being a joy sucker. And get away from those who are. The results of such living is a “drying up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22b).
An old Sunday school chorus goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, No matter what, smile! Laugh again. Laugh often. Bring back the joy. It’s ‘a medicine’ that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Strong's Concordance
The focus of this verse is inward, on a happy heart. The function of the verse is outward, working healing. What’s interesting is that the word translated “medicine” in this verse, literally means the “removal of a bandage, the healing of a wound.” (Strong’s Concordance)
Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a seventeenth-century physician, claimed that “The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty mules laden with drugs.”
Determine to let your thoughts and attitudes reflect the “joy of the Lord”. He is in control and His love toward us is steadfast. A cheerful disposition out of the overflow of our heart also, will often bring healing to those we come into contact with. Stop living with your head hung down, focusing on the negative, and being a joy sucker. And get away from those who are. The results of such living is a “drying up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22b).
An old Sunday school chorus goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, No matter what, smile! Laugh again. Laugh often. Bring back the joy. It’s ‘a medicine’ that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Strong's Concordance
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Why can’t we all just get along?
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)
Bickering,backbiting, selfishness, grudges, fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends, even in the church!
Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why David penned Psalm 133 for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling, to a much deeper depth of relationship, delighting in one another.
The precious holy oil used in anointing that David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.
It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard, even battling the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father that “they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (ESV) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is, the Son of God.
Pastor A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) wrote, “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting and precious; and as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.”
Difference in backgrounds and personality dictate that we simply will not get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV) Press through the hard times with one another. God will give you windows of relationship restoration. Watch for them and, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Unity — it just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)
Bickering,backbiting, selfishness, grudges, fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends, even in the church!
Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why David penned Psalm 133 for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling, to a much deeper depth of relationship, delighting in one another.
The precious holy oil used in anointing that David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.
It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard, even battling the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father that “they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (ESV) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is, the Son of God.
Pastor A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) wrote, “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting and precious; and as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.”
Difference in backgrounds and personality dictate that we simply will not get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV) Press through the hard times with one another. God will give you windows of relationship restoration. Watch for them and, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Unity — it just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Monday, August 22, 2011
Do you want to be healed?
38 years in a bed. Next to a pool. Sounds relaxing doesn’t it? But as we read on, the story says the man was alone and horribly crippled. Probably twisted feet, pencil thin legs and atrophied muscles barely covered by a thin blanket. Why? Because this was the pool of Bethesda near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem. There was something miraculous about this pool. Periodically the water stirred, and the first one into it was instantly healed.
Suddenly a commotion just inside the gate caused everyone to turn and look. A Man, followed by a large crowd, walked through one of five alcoves. With humble determination, He moved to the crippled man’s side. Whispers filled the air. “Is it Him?” some ask. Every ear strains to hear what He might say as He kneels tenderly next to the man. And then, with a quiet strong voice full of power and grace, He asked, “Do you want to be healed?”
The broken man feebly hangs his head and utters an interesting reply, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” His answer only goes to affirm the depths of his hopelessness. Not “yes” or even “no”. Just discouragement and despair.
Even more interesting is the edict He gives in response. “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off. (John 5:1-9 MSG). Jesus asked him: Do you want to be healed? Each of us, at some point in our lives, have heard Him ask us the same question. Whether it’s physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. Too often, we answer with the same timidity he did. Our pain is too deep. The hurt has been lodged in our heart for way too long. The doctors have tried everything. Hopelessness fills our souls. When you really think about it, healing starts with a choice. And it is always for His glory.
Meditate on these words. Treasure them up and ponder them in your heart:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)
“O LORD, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2 ESV)
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)
“And many followed Him. And He healed them all.” (Matthew 12:15 ESV)
“He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
“Do you want to be healed?” The next time He asks you that heartfelt question, reflect on these verses before you answer. And yes, He is always waiting and willing to turn our lives around.
Source:AACC
Suddenly a commotion just inside the gate caused everyone to turn and look. A Man, followed by a large crowd, walked through one of five alcoves. With humble determination, He moved to the crippled man’s side. Whispers filled the air. “Is it Him?” some ask. Every ear strains to hear what He might say as He kneels tenderly next to the man. And then, with a quiet strong voice full of power and grace, He asked, “Do you want to be healed?”
The broken man feebly hangs his head and utters an interesting reply, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” His answer only goes to affirm the depths of his hopelessness. Not “yes” or even “no”. Just discouragement and despair.
Even more interesting is the edict He gives in response. “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off. (John 5:1-9 MSG). Jesus asked him: Do you want to be healed? Each of us, at some point in our lives, have heard Him ask us the same question. Whether it’s physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. Too often, we answer with the same timidity he did. Our pain is too deep. The hurt has been lodged in our heart for way too long. The doctors have tried everything. Hopelessness fills our souls. When you really think about it, healing starts with a choice. And it is always for His glory.
Meditate on these words. Treasure them up and ponder them in your heart:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)
“O LORD, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (Psalm 30:2 ESV)
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)
“And many followed Him. And He healed them all.” (Matthew 12:15 ESV)
“He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
“Do you want to be healed?” The next time He asks you that heartfelt question, reflect on these verses before you answer. And yes, He is always waiting and willing to turn our lives around.
Source:AACC
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Sneeze
When we hear someone sneeze, the first thing that comes out of our mouths is "God Bless You", I mean that seems to be ingrained in us, it seems to be an automatic response, but the question is; when did we started doing this and why?
What’s interesting is that the custom of saying “God bless you” after a sneeze began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague (his successor Pope Pelagius II succumbed to it). Gregory called for unceasing prayer from the people for God’s help and intercession. Groups of people marched through the streets chanting, “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord have mercy”). When someone sneezed, an immediate “God bless you!” followed from anyone nearby, in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the deadly plague. While we often use this phrase out of habit, these desperate people trusted that God would hear, and the blessing of health and protection would follow.
The history of this common phrase magnifies the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (ESV) The words we say matter. More than we realize. Maybe our communication would change if we truly understood that the words we speak either have life breathed into them or death.
James takes this fundamental principle to a much deeper level. He acknowledges that “With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (3:9-10 ESV) Granted. But then he strongly reprimands the readers with, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (vs. 10 ESV) James then gives vivid examples from nature to support his reproof. A spring of water does not simultaneously produce fresh water and salt water. A fig tree does not produce olives. Grapevines don’t grow figs. A salt water pond does not contain fresh water. (vs. 11-12)
Relationships are not perfect. Harsh words are sometimes spoken. Tempers flare and painful, even hurtful things are said. In writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, Peter encouraged them in this way “…be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing, and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 The Message)
The next time you hear a sneeze and reply with “God bless you”, let it serve as a reminder that the power of life and death is in what we “say” or “don’t say” to others! It might turn your life or someone else’s around.
Source: AACC
What’s interesting is that the custom of saying “God bless you” after a sneeze began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague (his successor Pope Pelagius II succumbed to it). Gregory called for unceasing prayer from the people for God’s help and intercession. Groups of people marched through the streets chanting, “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord have mercy”). When someone sneezed, an immediate “God bless you!” followed from anyone nearby, in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the deadly plague. While we often use this phrase out of habit, these desperate people trusted that God would hear, and the blessing of health and protection would follow.
The history of this common phrase magnifies the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (ESV) The words we say matter. More than we realize. Maybe our communication would change if we truly understood that the words we speak either have life breathed into them or death.
James takes this fundamental principle to a much deeper level. He acknowledges that “With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (3:9-10 ESV) Granted. But then he strongly reprimands the readers with, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (vs. 10 ESV) James then gives vivid examples from nature to support his reproof. A spring of water does not simultaneously produce fresh water and salt water. A fig tree does not produce olives. Grapevines don’t grow figs. A salt water pond does not contain fresh water. (vs. 11-12)
Relationships are not perfect. Harsh words are sometimes spoken. Tempers flare and painful, even hurtful things are said. In writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, Peter encouraged them in this way “…be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing, and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 The Message)
The next time you hear a sneeze and reply with “God bless you”, let it serve as a reminder that the power of life and death is in what we “say” or “don’t say” to others! It might turn your life or someone else’s around.
Source: AACC
Practice
It’s been said, “Practice makes perfect”. That is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent. Do it over and over again incorrectly, and you have simply developed a bad habit. “Perfect practice makes perfect”. It takes a lot of sacrifice blood, sweat and guts to achieve excellence to separate yourself. The Apostle Paul understood that this same degree of intensity was necessary to reach a level of “spiritual” excellence. In his letter to young Timothy, Paul urges him to “… train yourself for godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV) It’s interesting that the Greek word for “train” is gymnazo, from which we get the word gymnasium, and it means to exercise vigorously. Strenuous spiritual exercise in order to produce godliness. Paul goes on to say, “…godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (vs. 8 ESV)
Promise for the life to come but also for this present life. Too often in this world, our spiritual lives are lethargic and weak. Maybe our lack of power as Christians is simply spiritual inactivity. Maybe we need to get our fight back. Get back in the Word. Seek spiritual excellence in prayer. Inspiration comes by perspiration. Paul must have known that there would be a tendency for Timothy to be lackadaisical in his day-to-day journey. He reminded him, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (1 Timothy 4:14 NAS)… “For to this end we toil and strive…” (vs. 10 ESV)… “Practice these things… immerse yourself in them…” (vs. 10)
Spiritual determination. Sacred vigorous exercise. Daily devotional discipline. Who knows you just might get yourself out of a mess and turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Promise for the life to come but also for this present life. Too often in this world, our spiritual lives are lethargic and weak. Maybe our lack of power as Christians is simply spiritual inactivity. Maybe we need to get our fight back. Get back in the Word. Seek spiritual excellence in prayer. Inspiration comes by perspiration. Paul must have known that there would be a tendency for Timothy to be lackadaisical in his day-to-day journey. He reminded him, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (1 Timothy 4:14 NAS)… “For to this end we toil and strive…” (vs. 10 ESV)… “Practice these things… immerse yourself in them…” (vs. 10)
Spiritual determination. Sacred vigorous exercise. Daily devotional discipline. Who knows you just might get yourself out of a mess and turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A Letter Just for Dad
To send a letter is a good way to move somewhere without moving anything but your heart. -Phyllis Theroux
“Honor your father…” Eph 6:2
In The Little Red Book of Wisdom’s revised addition, Mark DeMoss laments the lost art of letter writing and states, “Where letter writing is practiced, some letters leave indelible prints on hearts and souls.”
There is something incredibly powerful in written words. Perhaps that is why the words “write” or “written” are used over 300 times in the (written by the way) Bible. The Ten Commandments were written on stone tablets by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 ESV) After commanding Israel to keep His statutes to teach them to their children to talk about them to keep them on their hearts to bind them to their hands, He then said, “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9 ESV) Writing His words down gave them added value.
I love what the Apostle John expresses in 1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (ESV)
As a way to express our affection, and to give honor to Dad, over 102 million cards will be given this Father’s Day. Each one will have a wonderful rhyming poem or lyric printed inside, with too often, only a simple signature added at the bottom. This year, try something different. Write your dad a note. Express your heartfelt feelings. It may take some time, but it is a beautiful way to convey honor to your father. You may have been hurt or wounded by your father. A note of forgiveness will build a bridge over the pain and bring healing. Perhaps your father has passed on. Write him a note anyway. You will be amazed how personal and close just the act of writing will make you feel. If your dad is still living, and it is at all possible, deliver it to him in person. It just might turn his Father’s Day around.
Source: AACC
“Honor your father…” Eph 6:2
In The Little Red Book of Wisdom’s revised addition, Mark DeMoss laments the lost art of letter writing and states, “Where letter writing is practiced, some letters leave indelible prints on hearts and souls.”
There is something incredibly powerful in written words. Perhaps that is why the words “write” or “written” are used over 300 times in the (written by the way) Bible. The Ten Commandments were written on stone tablets by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 ESV) After commanding Israel to keep His statutes to teach them to their children to talk about them to keep them on their hearts to bind them to their hands, He then said, “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9 ESV) Writing His words down gave them added value.
I love what the Apostle John expresses in 1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (ESV)
As a way to express our affection, and to give honor to Dad, over 102 million cards will be given this Father’s Day. Each one will have a wonderful rhyming poem or lyric printed inside, with too often, only a simple signature added at the bottom. This year, try something different. Write your dad a note. Express your heartfelt feelings. It may take some time, but it is a beautiful way to convey honor to your father. You may have been hurt or wounded by your father. A note of forgiveness will build a bridge over the pain and bring healing. Perhaps your father has passed on. Write him a note anyway. You will be amazed how personal and close just the act of writing will make you feel. If your dad is still living, and it is at all possible, deliver it to him in person. It just might turn his Father’s Day around.
Source: AACC
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Remember
Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. -From the television show The Wonder Years.
Flowers, flags, parades and picnics. This past weekend we remembered. Memorial Day is time of remembering the more than 3.9 million men and women who have bravely given the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee our freedom, their lives. It is a day where “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them". -Francis A. Walker
We were created with an amazing capacity to remember. Sometimes our memories haunt us. They are painful and filled with hurts that require a journey of deep healing. Often the healing is mostly about changing our focus from grievous experiences to the faithfulness of God. Paul challenges us to think often about, and remember, the good things. “…whatever is true… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable… think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
It is interesting that the word remember is used over 150 times in the Bible. Like the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, we have the propensity to forget our first love to forget God to forget His fidelity and His faithfulness in our everyday life. And like that church, the spirit of God calls us to remember.
“…remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So shall you remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.” (Number 15:39-40 ESV)
“Remember the wondrous works He (God) has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:12 ESV)
“Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14 ESV)
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5 ESV)
“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your words.” (Psalm 119:16 ESV)
Celebrating the good reminds us of His faithfulness, especially during times of brokenness. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Set up some “memorial days” in your life. Times where you stop, commemorate, and remember the good things of God. “Remembering” just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC, The Wonder Years, Francis A. Walker.
Flowers, flags, parades and picnics. This past weekend we remembered. Memorial Day is time of remembering the more than 3.9 million men and women who have bravely given the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee our freedom, their lives. It is a day where “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them". -Francis A. Walker
We were created with an amazing capacity to remember. Sometimes our memories haunt us. They are painful and filled with hurts that require a journey of deep healing. Often the healing is mostly about changing our focus from grievous experiences to the faithfulness of God. Paul challenges us to think often about, and remember, the good things. “…whatever is true… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable… think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
It is interesting that the word remember is used over 150 times in the Bible. Like the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, we have the propensity to forget our first love to forget God to forget His fidelity and His faithfulness in our everyday life. And like that church, the spirit of God calls us to remember.
“…remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So shall you remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.” (Number 15:39-40 ESV)
“Remember the wondrous works He (God) has done…” (1 Chronicles 16:12 ESV)
“Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14 ESV)
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5 ESV)
“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your words.” (Psalm 119:16 ESV)
Celebrating the good reminds us of His faithfulness, especially during times of brokenness. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Set up some “memorial days” in your life. Times where you stop, commemorate, and remember the good things of God. “Remembering” just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC, The Wonder Years, Francis A. Walker.
Abba Father
In Mark 14 we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is in deep distress as he looks ahead to the Cross. Usually, Jesus referred to God as “Father”. With his soul grieved to the point of death, Jesus prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you…” (Vs. 36 ESV). The word “Abba” can be easily translated as “daddy”. It is a very intimate term that Jesus uses at a point of incredible anxiety, dismay and fear.
Most often, we conceptualize God as distant and far away. He is God, Holy, Magnificent, Powerful, Almighty. It somehow goes against our nature to think of Him with such a depth of affectionate that we can call him “dad” or “daddy”. After all, Jesus is His only begotten son. He has a relationship with His Father that we simply do not believe is possible for us to have.
In Romans 8:15, Paul turns this upside down when he says, “…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”. (ESV) Again in Galatians 4:6 Paul confirms this line of thought. “And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of His son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’”. (ESV) Remember the Garden where we found Jesus? He went from the garden, to Golgotha, and there drank the bitter cup of the “cross” that God had prepared for Him, for us. A cup that Jesus drank out of obedience to His “Abba Father”.
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)
For what? So that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. And so that your Heavenly Father, especially in the distresses of life, can be found. (Psalm 46:1) Yes, He is there for you… even now. Waiting to turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Most often, we conceptualize God as distant and far away. He is God, Holy, Magnificent, Powerful, Almighty. It somehow goes against our nature to think of Him with such a depth of affectionate that we can call him “dad” or “daddy”. After all, Jesus is His only begotten son. He has a relationship with His Father that we simply do not believe is possible for us to have.
In Romans 8:15, Paul turns this upside down when he says, “…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”. (ESV) Again in Galatians 4:6 Paul confirms this line of thought. “And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of His son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’”. (ESV) Remember the Garden where we found Jesus? He went from the garden, to Golgotha, and there drank the bitter cup of the “cross” that God had prepared for Him, for us. A cup that Jesus drank out of obedience to His “Abba Father”.
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)
For what? So that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. And so that your Heavenly Father, especially in the distresses of life, can be found. (Psalm 46:1) Yes, He is there for you… even now. Waiting to turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Forgiveness
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” -Jesus Christ
In his book “Unconditional” Brian Zahnd asks this question, “So what is your story? Who has been cruel to you? Perhaps bitterly cruel. What injustice have you suffered? How have you been mistreated? Perhaps miserably so. Who has cheated you? Abused you? Lied to you? Lied about you? Maybe it was last week. Maybe it was a lifetime ago.”
It is interesting to look at Jesus’ words in Mark 11 concerning interpersonal forgiveness, “And, whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your trespasses.” (vs. 25 ESV) Christ is in effect saying that our vertical relationship with God is much more related to our horizontal relationships with those around us, than we would like to admit.
As our personal creator, Jesus understands how we are made. Not just spiritually, but physiologically as well. Our bodies simply are not fashioned to carry the burden and weight of unforgiveness. Psychiatrist Loren Olson recently noted that “those more inclined to pardon the transgressions of others have been found to have lower blood pressure, fewer depressive symptoms and, once they hit late middle age, better overall mental and physical health than those who do not forgive easily.”
Forgive easily? Is that even possible? We all have heard someone say (or maybe even said it ourselves), “I will forgive, but I will never forget!” Ev Worthington, whose elderly mother was brutally beaten, raped, and left alone to slowly bleed to death by an enraged burglar, gives personal insight into this. “Sometimes people have a hard time admitting that they aren’t forgiving a person who hurt them. They think that forgiving is a matter of saying certain words ‘I forgive you’, but there is a heart by-pass. Being able to say the words is a step, but the Lord really wants our hearts touched.” At the core, forgiveness is releasing a debt. Choosing not to harbor the hurt and anger anymore. Opening the door for healing maybe even reconciliation.
Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s always necessary. And it only takes one to forgive. When you get to the heart of the matter, our ability to forgive is rooted in the fact that we have been forgiven by Christ, in God. (2Corinthians 5:18-20)
All relationships demand the deep oil of forgiveness. When we forgive it breaks the poisonous cycle of revenge, and allows the broken to walk in peace. The Jesus way is always the way of forgiveness. We forgive to free ourselves and to get our lives back. His way is the way that gives the future hope a hope that can turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Zahnd, B., (2010). Unconditional? The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Orlando, FL: Charisma House. Olson, L. A., (2011, March/April). Forgiveness: You Life Depends Upon It. Family Therapy Magazine, 10(2), 28-31.
In his book “Unconditional” Brian Zahnd asks this question, “So what is your story? Who has been cruel to you? Perhaps bitterly cruel. What injustice have you suffered? How have you been mistreated? Perhaps miserably so. Who has cheated you? Abused you? Lied to you? Lied about you? Maybe it was last week. Maybe it was a lifetime ago.”
It is interesting to look at Jesus’ words in Mark 11 concerning interpersonal forgiveness, “And, whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your trespasses.” (vs. 25 ESV) Christ is in effect saying that our vertical relationship with God is much more related to our horizontal relationships with those around us, than we would like to admit.
As our personal creator, Jesus understands how we are made. Not just spiritually, but physiologically as well. Our bodies simply are not fashioned to carry the burden and weight of unforgiveness. Psychiatrist Loren Olson recently noted that “those more inclined to pardon the transgressions of others have been found to have lower blood pressure, fewer depressive symptoms and, once they hit late middle age, better overall mental and physical health than those who do not forgive easily.”
Forgive easily? Is that even possible? We all have heard someone say (or maybe even said it ourselves), “I will forgive, but I will never forget!” Ev Worthington, whose elderly mother was brutally beaten, raped, and left alone to slowly bleed to death by an enraged burglar, gives personal insight into this. “Sometimes people have a hard time admitting that they aren’t forgiving a person who hurt them. They think that forgiving is a matter of saying certain words ‘I forgive you’, but there is a heart by-pass. Being able to say the words is a step, but the Lord really wants our hearts touched.” At the core, forgiveness is releasing a debt. Choosing not to harbor the hurt and anger anymore. Opening the door for healing maybe even reconciliation.
Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s always necessary. And it only takes one to forgive. When you get to the heart of the matter, our ability to forgive is rooted in the fact that we have been forgiven by Christ, in God. (2Corinthians 5:18-20)
All relationships demand the deep oil of forgiveness. When we forgive it breaks the poisonous cycle of revenge, and allows the broken to walk in peace. The Jesus way is always the way of forgiveness. We forgive to free ourselves and to get our lives back. His way is the way that gives the future hope a hope that can turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Zahnd, B., (2010). Unconditional? The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Orlando, FL: Charisma House. Olson, L. A., (2011, March/April). Forgiveness: You Life Depends Upon It. Family Therapy Magazine, 10(2), 28-31.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Seeing Red
“In your anger, do not sin.” -Apostle Paul
Throwing a chair across the basketball court. Slamming a fist through a wall. The frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic. Those feelings you get when someone tells a trusted secret. How a child feels when dad doesn’t come home. When life isn’t the way we think it should be, it’s easy to get angry. God wired us that way.
Anger is one of the most often misunderstood, yet significant concepts in life. Best understood as "A state of preparedness" to respond to a real or perceived wrong doing or injustice in life, anger motivates a person to action.
Paul taught in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger, don’t sin.” (NIV) While anger always finds an expression, what you decide to do in your “state of preparedness” determines whether or not you will “sin”.
Anger management starts when we:
1. See it — Identifying the cause of anger in your life especially opens your spirit for God’s help. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
2.Delay it — Learn the value of "calming" to allow the anger to subside. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)
3.Control it — Control your response rather than reacting emotionally. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)
4.Settle it — Commit to not only “doing” the right things, but also “being” the right person. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9NIV)
When you invite God to help you identify your anger and take positive action, anger becomes a servant rather than a master.
In your anger — choose not to sin. It just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Throwing a chair across the basketball court. Slamming a fist through a wall. The frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic. Those feelings you get when someone tells a trusted secret. How a child feels when dad doesn’t come home. When life isn’t the way we think it should be, it’s easy to get angry. God wired us that way.
Anger is one of the most often misunderstood, yet significant concepts in life. Best understood as "A state of preparedness" to respond to a real or perceived wrong doing or injustice in life, anger motivates a person to action.
Paul taught in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger, don’t sin.” (NIV) While anger always finds an expression, what you decide to do in your “state of preparedness” determines whether or not you will “sin”.
Anger management starts when we:
1. See it — Identifying the cause of anger in your life especially opens your spirit for God’s help. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
2.Delay it — Learn the value of "calming" to allow the anger to subside. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)
3.Control it — Control your response rather than reacting emotionally. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)
4.Settle it — Commit to not only “doing” the right things, but also “being” the right person. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9NIV)
When you invite God to help you identify your anger and take positive action, anger becomes a servant rather than a master.
In your anger — choose not to sin. It just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Friday, May 6, 2011
Compassion
“We must never minimize the suffering of another. Scripture’s mandate to us is, ‘Weep with them that weep.’” -Billy Graham
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” -Jesus Christ
Tucked in the midst of the 50 verses of Luke chapter 7, we find 5 verses that give us great insight into the heart of Jesus. As He approaches a little town called Nain, a funeral procession is just coming out of the gate of the city. A man has died. Luke is careful to point out that the man was the “only son of his mother”. As a widow, the death of her only son relegated her to a life of poverty and degradation. Sounds of her deep bewailing brought tears to the eyes of all who heard. A considerable crowd from the town is with her. Just as the cemetery comes into view, she meets Jesus. “And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…” (vs. 13 ESV)
“Splagchnizomai” the Greek word for compassion literally means “to be moved as to one’s bowels” (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Henri J. M. Nouwen asserts that (Jesus) felt the pain of that woman in His guts. It is interesting that this deep empathy drew out of Jesus a much higher level of response than anyone expected, as well as the desire to meet the real need of the widow“ and (He) said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, Arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” (vs. 13-14 ESV)
Nearly every day, God places someone in our life who is consumed with deep pain. A friend whose dad has died. A couple who have tragically abandoned their marriage. The teenage girl, pregnant, scared and confused. A mom and dad whose son or daughter has been killed in the line of duty. Someone’s daughter attempted suicide. Too often, we are so busy and preoccupied that we trivialize anothers pain. We are aware, but not touched. Even our own pain is masked and dismissed.
Christlike compassion sees beyond the surface and begs for a truly empathetic “from the bowels” response. Could Jesus have seen the widow and merely walked by? I think not. His very nature compelled Him to go beyond the “expected” and to fulfill “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11 ESV) I believe that God has no greater plan than to use His people as His ambassadors of compassion and mercy.
Let’s slow down and really pay attention to those who are “in our way”. Next time, look beyond what is apparent to see the real need. Offer the compassion of Jesus. Lives will be turned around. Not just theirs, but yours as well.
Source:AACC, Billy Graham.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” -Jesus Christ
Tucked in the midst of the 50 verses of Luke chapter 7, we find 5 verses that give us great insight into the heart of Jesus. As He approaches a little town called Nain, a funeral procession is just coming out of the gate of the city. A man has died. Luke is careful to point out that the man was the “only son of his mother”. As a widow, the death of her only son relegated her to a life of poverty and degradation. Sounds of her deep bewailing brought tears to the eyes of all who heard. A considerable crowd from the town is with her. Just as the cemetery comes into view, she meets Jesus. “And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…” (vs. 13 ESV)
“Splagchnizomai” the Greek word for compassion literally means “to be moved as to one’s bowels” (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Henri J. M. Nouwen asserts that (Jesus) felt the pain of that woman in His guts. It is interesting that this deep empathy drew out of Jesus a much higher level of response than anyone expected, as well as the desire to meet the real need of the widow“ and (He) said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, Arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” (vs. 13-14 ESV)
Nearly every day, God places someone in our life who is consumed with deep pain. A friend whose dad has died. A couple who have tragically abandoned their marriage. The teenage girl, pregnant, scared and confused. A mom and dad whose son or daughter has been killed in the line of duty. Someone’s daughter attempted suicide. Too often, we are so busy and preoccupied that we trivialize anothers pain. We are aware, but not touched. Even our own pain is masked and dismissed.
Christlike compassion sees beyond the surface and begs for a truly empathetic “from the bowels” response. Could Jesus have seen the widow and merely walked by? I think not. His very nature compelled Him to go beyond the “expected” and to fulfill “the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11 ESV) I believe that God has no greater plan than to use His people as His ambassadors of compassion and mercy.
Let’s slow down and really pay attention to those who are “in our way”. Next time, look beyond what is apparent to see the real need. Offer the compassion of Jesus. Lives will be turned around. Not just theirs, but yours as well.
Source:AACC, Billy Graham.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Teacher
Mary Magdalene. A woman whose entire life and persona had been controlled and dominated by demonic activity. She battled not just one spirit of evil. She was consumed with seven. Until one day, when she had a divine appointment with Jesus — “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out…” (Luke 8:2 ESV) After that encounter, she became a committed follower of Christ. Her story had become His story. Perhaps that is why she was the first person to visit the tomb on that Resurrection morning – even while it was still dark. When she found the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty, she ran to find Peter and John, who ran back to the tomb to see for themselves. And Mary? She “stood weeping outside the tomb” (John 20:11 ESV). Weeping with the pain and grief that is only felt when mourning the death of someone deeply loved. Through her tears, Mary stoops to look inside of the place where her Savior had been laid just a few days before. Two angels tell her that Jesus is not there. When she turns around to leave, she runs right into Jesus. Perhaps because she was in such deep anguish, Mary did not recognize Him. In fact, she thought He was the gardener. After a brief discussion she turns to walk away. Jesus says one word — “Mary!” She “turned and said to Him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni‘” (vs. 16) The meaning of the word is Teacher or Master. Can you imagine how she must have felt? Relief and joy certainly flooded her heart.
Rewind the story a few days, back to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just finished agonizing in prayer, and was now speaking with Peter, James and John. Suddenly, “Judas came… and with him a crowd with swords and clubs… and when he came, he went up to Him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And he kissed him.” (Mark 14:43-46 ESV)
Two followers of Christ. Both have life changing personal encounters with Him. Both spoke directly to Him, using the same basic word. A word that means teacher or master. However, when Judas uses the word, the meaning is simply that Master as a title of honor, which is how Judas viewed Him. When Mary calls Jesus “Rabboni”, the added emphasis deepens the word to express who He really was to her Lord.
What’s interesting is that some early Christian writings portray Mary Magdalene as a visionary who became a leader in the early church. We know without a doubt from scripture that Judas went out in remorse and hung himself. The difference? Judas had years of head knowledge. Mary’s heart had been changed. Judas was a trusted disciple (he kept the money bag) who “honored God with His lips, but his heart was far from Him” (Matthew 15:8 ESV). Judas said the right things. He believed the wrong things. On the other hand, Mary “believed with her heart and was justified” (Romans 10:10 ESV). Jesus knew her name Mary. Mary knew His saving power Lord.
Coming to grips with this difference personally honoring God with your lips or believing in your heart will turn your life around. Not just today, but for eternity.
Source:AACC
Rewind the story a few days, back to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had just finished agonizing in prayer, and was now speaking with Peter, James and John. Suddenly, “Judas came… and with him a crowd with swords and clubs… and when he came, he went up to Him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And he kissed him.” (Mark 14:43-46 ESV)
Two followers of Christ. Both have life changing personal encounters with Him. Both spoke directly to Him, using the same basic word. A word that means teacher or master. However, when Judas uses the word, the meaning is simply that Master as a title of honor, which is how Judas viewed Him. When Mary calls Jesus “Rabboni”, the added emphasis deepens the word to express who He really was to her Lord.
What’s interesting is that some early Christian writings portray Mary Magdalene as a visionary who became a leader in the early church. We know without a doubt from scripture that Judas went out in remorse and hung himself. The difference? Judas had years of head knowledge. Mary’s heart had been changed. Judas was a trusted disciple (he kept the money bag) who “honored God with His lips, but his heart was far from Him” (Matthew 15:8 ESV). Judas said the right things. He believed the wrong things. On the other hand, Mary “believed with her heart and was justified” (Romans 10:10 ESV). Jesus knew her name Mary. Mary knew His saving power Lord.
Coming to grips with this difference personally honoring God with your lips or believing in your heart will turn your life around. Not just today, but for eternity.
Source:AACC
Saturday, April 23, 2011
He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!
This is the story:
THE Passion. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” (Luke 22:44 ESV) The Garden. A place where Jesus had come many times before to pray. But this time was different. This time He was in an agony. What’s interesting is that this is the only time this phrase is used in all of scripture. It was not just agony. It was an agony. A battle,a fight,a struggle in deep anguish. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me…” Lying on His face, prostrate before His Father. Crying out in such deep distress that the capillaries under his skin burst and “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (vs. 44). Typically this kind of agony can cause brain damage, or even death. But Jesus lived on,to die.
THE Punishment. “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) Being hung on a cross to die was common in those days. But this was different. Before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brutally beaten. Burly Roman soldiers used their clenched fists and pounded His face over and over again “we esteemed Him stricken” (vs. 4). Handfuls of His beard were yanked out. Onlookers walked up to him, cleared their throats, and spit in His face. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then driven deep into His skull with wooden reeds “He was afflicted” (vs. 7). Stripped naked, He was scourged with a cat of nine tails, so named because there were nine strands, and on the end of those nine strands were pieces of metal or bone, designed to dig into the skin and rip it open. Normally a man was whipped with 39 lashes. 39 lashes with 9 strands. Do the math. When they were done Jesus’ lacerated flesh hung from His body in long strips, exposing muscle, sinew and even bone, “with His stripes we are healed” (vs. 5) After all of that, He was then made to carry His own cross “Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows” (vs. 4). Nailed to the cross, the One who knew no sin, became sin for us “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (vs. 6).
THE Proclamation. Hours of wretched suffering. One last time Jesus pushed up against the nail in His feet to take the pressure off of His diaphragm so He could take His final breath. Burning lungs filled with air, and then from a parched throat, through swollen, broken bleeding lips, the very Son of God cried out, “It Is Finished!” Every Jew within earshot knew those words. They were the words the high priest used every year to proclaim that their sins had once again been atoned for, by the sacrificing of a spotless, unblemished lamb. But this was different. The Lamb of God, the perfect Passover Lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world, (John 1:29) was proclaiming for all to hear, that once and for all, the final sacrifice had been made. “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by the means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 ESV) Then He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.
THE Promise. A few days before, Jesus had told His disciples that He was about to die. Sensing the fear and anxiety that they were experiencing, He gave them this promise, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3 NASV) A dead god could never keep that promise. Surely He couldn’t mean that He would actually die. But then, albeit from distant hiding places, they watched Him do just that, die. Now what? Hopes, dreams and promises dashed upon the stone placed and sealed at the entrance of His borrowed tomb. Hear these words. In them you will find the hope of His promise, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb and looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here!!‘” (Mark 16:1-6 NASV) Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! We do not believe in a God who was once alive and now He is dead. We follow after a God who became a man to dwell among us with the purpose of dying for our redemption and now He is alive. Life is no longer a hopeless end it is an endless hope.
The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was THE moment in time that changed the course of humanity. A perfect offering presented. That which had been spoken of by the prophets in Scripture, fulfilled. God’s gift of love, freely given to all who will receive.
In the great “Resurrection Chapter”, Paul presents the gospel “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15 ESV). These words are not a defense of the resurrection. They are in effect a declaration of the most important words in Christianity. He is risen! Words that turned the world around.
Our response? He is risen indeed! Our opportunity? To “know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Source:AACC
THE Passion. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” (Luke 22:44 ESV) The Garden. A place where Jesus had come many times before to pray. But this time was different. This time He was in an agony. What’s interesting is that this is the only time this phrase is used in all of scripture. It was not just agony. It was an agony. A battle,a fight,a struggle in deep anguish. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me…” Lying on His face, prostrate before His Father. Crying out in such deep distress that the capillaries under his skin burst and “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (vs. 44). Typically this kind of agony can cause brain damage, or even death. But Jesus lived on,to die.
THE Punishment. “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) Being hung on a cross to die was common in those days. But this was different. Before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brutally beaten. Burly Roman soldiers used their clenched fists and pounded His face over and over again “we esteemed Him stricken” (vs. 4). Handfuls of His beard were yanked out. Onlookers walked up to him, cleared their throats, and spit in His face. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then driven deep into His skull with wooden reeds “He was afflicted” (vs. 7). Stripped naked, He was scourged with a cat of nine tails, so named because there were nine strands, and on the end of those nine strands were pieces of metal or bone, designed to dig into the skin and rip it open. Normally a man was whipped with 39 lashes. 39 lashes with 9 strands. Do the math. When they were done Jesus’ lacerated flesh hung from His body in long strips, exposing muscle, sinew and even bone, “with His stripes we are healed” (vs. 5) After all of that, He was then made to carry His own cross “Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows” (vs. 4). Nailed to the cross, the One who knew no sin, became sin for us “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (vs. 6).
THE Proclamation. Hours of wretched suffering. One last time Jesus pushed up against the nail in His feet to take the pressure off of His diaphragm so He could take His final breath. Burning lungs filled with air, and then from a parched throat, through swollen, broken bleeding lips, the very Son of God cried out, “It Is Finished!” Every Jew within earshot knew those words. They were the words the high priest used every year to proclaim that their sins had once again been atoned for, by the sacrificing of a spotless, unblemished lamb. But this was different. The Lamb of God, the perfect Passover Lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world, (John 1:29) was proclaiming for all to hear, that once and for all, the final sacrifice had been made. “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by the means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 ESV) Then He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.
THE Promise. A few days before, Jesus had told His disciples that He was about to die. Sensing the fear and anxiety that they were experiencing, He gave them this promise, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3 NASV) A dead god could never keep that promise. Surely He couldn’t mean that He would actually die. But then, albeit from distant hiding places, they watched Him do just that, die. Now what? Hopes, dreams and promises dashed upon the stone placed and sealed at the entrance of His borrowed tomb. Hear these words. In them you will find the hope of His promise, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb and looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here!!‘” (Mark 16:1-6 NASV) Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! We do not believe in a God who was once alive and now He is dead. We follow after a God who became a man to dwell among us with the purpose of dying for our redemption and now He is alive. Life is no longer a hopeless end it is an endless hope.
The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was THE moment in time that changed the course of humanity. A perfect offering presented. That which had been spoken of by the prophets in Scripture, fulfilled. God’s gift of love, freely given to all who will receive.
In the great “Resurrection Chapter”, Paul presents the gospel “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15 ESV). These words are not a defense of the resurrection. They are in effect a declaration of the most important words in Christianity. He is risen! Words that turned the world around.
Our response? He is risen indeed! Our opportunity? To “know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Source:AACC
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Respect
R – E – S – P – E – C – T. This 1967 smash hit by Aretha Franklin quickly exploded up the charts. While it was written by Otis Redding in 1965 as a man’s plea for respect and recognition, the roles were reversed for Franklin’s version. Her rendition was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered one of the best songs of the R&B era. The popularity of this song (she won 2 Grammys in 1968) seemed to voice the general feeling of people everywhere. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin’s version by adding it to the National Recording Registry.
Rodney Dangerfield developed a whole comedy routine, and ultimately career, with one simple bi-line — “I don’t get no RESPECT!!” His comedy album No Respect also won a Grammy Award.
In her book, For Women Only, Christian author, Shaunti Feldhahn, writes that when men are asked which they would choose, to be alone and unloved, or feel inadequate and disrespected (not that we men would really want either) nearly 75% chose alone and unloved. Think about that. These men would rather be alone with no love, than to be made to feel inadequate and disrespected. What’s interesting is that if you pay close attention to today’s teens, you will hear them express a desire not to be ‘dissed"… slang for disrespected. Often this disrespect comes in the form of insulting put downs, rejection, or dismissive behavior. It seems that everyone yearns in some way for this seemingly innate desire to feel respected.
While in prison, the great Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Philippi. The overall message of the letter is "joy". Paul is not writing to just the "saints" as he did in Ephesians and Colossians. It is striking that he adds the overseers and deacons (1:1 NASV) to his greeting, as if to make a special effort to include those in leadership. In chapter 2, Paul makes a heartfelt appeal. He asks that all reading his letter would make his joy complete. How? By being intent on one purpose — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (vs. 3 KJV) The ultimate in respect. Each person esteeming every other person better than themselves. Perhaps that is why he added the leadership to his salutation. It’s as if he was saying that status doesn’t negate responsibility. Dignity and worth were to be attributed to every person equally. Could Paul have been remembering what David voiced in Psalm 8, “What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (ELOHIM) and dost crown him with glory and majesty.” (vs. 4-5 NASV) If God feels that way about us, then we too ought to hold each other in high regard. If we lived out our lives exhibiting this kind of respect, where each person thinks of everyone else as more worthy than themselves, it just might turn some marriages, families, teens, work relationships, and maybe even counseling sessions around.
Source:AACC, Feldham, Shaunti Christine, (2004) For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishing
Rodney Dangerfield developed a whole comedy routine, and ultimately career, with one simple bi-line — “I don’t get no RESPECT!!” His comedy album No Respect also won a Grammy Award.
In her book, For Women Only, Christian author, Shaunti Feldhahn, writes that when men are asked which they would choose, to be alone and unloved, or feel inadequate and disrespected (not that we men would really want either) nearly 75% chose alone and unloved. Think about that. These men would rather be alone with no love, than to be made to feel inadequate and disrespected. What’s interesting is that if you pay close attention to today’s teens, you will hear them express a desire not to be ‘dissed"… slang for disrespected. Often this disrespect comes in the form of insulting put downs, rejection, or dismissive behavior. It seems that everyone yearns in some way for this seemingly innate desire to feel respected.
While in prison, the great Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Philippi. The overall message of the letter is "joy". Paul is not writing to just the "saints" as he did in Ephesians and Colossians. It is striking that he adds the overseers and deacons (1:1 NASV) to his greeting, as if to make a special effort to include those in leadership. In chapter 2, Paul makes a heartfelt appeal. He asks that all reading his letter would make his joy complete. How? By being intent on one purpose — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (vs. 3 KJV) The ultimate in respect. Each person esteeming every other person better than themselves. Perhaps that is why he added the leadership to his salutation. It’s as if he was saying that status doesn’t negate responsibility. Dignity and worth were to be attributed to every person equally. Could Paul have been remembering what David voiced in Psalm 8, “What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (ELOHIM) and dost crown him with glory and majesty.” (vs. 4-5 NASV) If God feels that way about us, then we too ought to hold each other in high regard. If we lived out our lives exhibiting this kind of respect, where each person thinks of everyone else as more worthy than themselves, it just might turn some marriages, families, teens, work relationships, and maybe even counseling sessions around.
Source:AACC, Feldham, Shaunti Christine, (2004) For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishing
Thursday, April 14, 2011
An Issue of the Heart
Delilah said to him, “How can you say ‘I love you’ when your heart is not with me?. So Sampson told her all that was in his heart… when Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lord of the Philistines… and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair… she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Sampson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had abandoned him. (Judges 16)
Sampson. Powerful and strong. It is interesting that his strength was not really in his hair. His strength was in his heart. He was a Nazirite. The Hebrew word nazir means consecrated or separated. And it was by choice. His mother Manoah had dedicated him to this Nazirite vow before his birth. However, Hebrew law required that when he was old enough to understand, he recommit his life, permanently to this vow. His heart belonged solely to his God. Until he gave it up to Delilah.
In a similar story, Amaziah served as king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 25:2 records this indictment, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” Again, the original Hebrew language gives incredible insight into this verse. The word perfect (shalem), denotes complete full finished. Most of Amaziah’s heart was God’s. But he had saved out a little portion for himself. In the end, he was defeated and captured by Joash.
Could it be that many of the struggles in our Christian walk can be traced back to the same issue that Sampson and Amaziah had? A heart that is not “perfect” toward God. Those tiny areas that we hang onto for ourselves. The hidden parts. It has been said, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist David pleaded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Again in Psalm 19:12 “… cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (KJV)
The “grace” piece in all of this, is that God will do just that. He will show you the fragment of your heart that is not His. His Light will shine in the dark places of your heart to reveal the “secret place”. The sin that we cover, He will uncover the sin that we uncover, He will cover. Surrender your whole heart to Him. Without a doubt, it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Sampson. Powerful and strong. It is interesting that his strength was not really in his hair. His strength was in his heart. He was a Nazirite. The Hebrew word nazir means consecrated or separated. And it was by choice. His mother Manoah had dedicated him to this Nazirite vow before his birth. However, Hebrew law required that when he was old enough to understand, he recommit his life, permanently to this vow. His heart belonged solely to his God. Until he gave it up to Delilah.
In a similar story, Amaziah served as king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 25:2 records this indictment, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” Again, the original Hebrew language gives incredible insight into this verse. The word perfect (shalem), denotes complete full finished. Most of Amaziah’s heart was God’s. But he had saved out a little portion for himself. In the end, he was defeated and captured by Joash.
Could it be that many of the struggles in our Christian walk can be traced back to the same issue that Sampson and Amaziah had? A heart that is not “perfect” toward God. Those tiny areas that we hang onto for ourselves. The hidden parts. It has been said, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist David pleaded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Again in Psalm 19:12 “… cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (KJV)
The “grace” piece in all of this, is that God will do just that. He will show you the fragment of your heart that is not His. His Light will shine in the dark places of your heart to reveal the “secret place”. The sin that we cover, He will uncover the sin that we uncover, He will cover. Surrender your whole heart to Him. Without a doubt, it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Be an Encourager
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” -Plato
Let me add, be an encourager. It has been said that everyone is either in the midst of the battle, just coming out of a battle, or about to enter the battle. At first glance, this is often not visible. A smile often masks deep feelings. The writer of the Proverbs put it this way, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14:13 NASV)
God’s directive to Moses in Deuteronomy 3 is very interesting. The children of Israel had finished 40 years in the wilderness. They were about to enter the land of “milk and honey”. The “promised land”. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But God knew that the real battle was just ahead. Amorites, Hittites and all of the other “ites” were waiting to steal, kill and destroy God’s promises to His children. In verse 28 God tells Moses to “charge Joshua,”and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.” (KJV) This “encourage” was not just a “pep talk”. The meaning of the word is to “fasten upon… strengthen to become even stronger… fortify”. I can imagine that this took quite some time. They probably had a few “counseling sessions” as Moses poured into Joshua’s heart, and spirit, the encouragement that it would take to persevere in the days ahead.
“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together”. We have all heard this admonition to remind us not to miss church. But why? Why do we assemble together? To “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASV). Worship is important. Sermons are wonderful. But could it be possible, that a core reason to meet together is to encourage one another? Something far beyond the “How ya doing?” and “Good to see ya!” platitudes we usually give each other as we pass in the aisle.
Just like the children of Israel, we have an enemy who came to steal, kill and destroy our walk with Christ. Too often we try to fight this battle alone. Remember that the enemy is strong and powerful. Someone once said, “The strength of the wolf is the pack,and the strength of the pack is the wolf”. Sounds like Hebrews 3:13, “But encourage one another, day after day, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” When reminding the church at Thessalonica of the sure return of the Lord, Paul ended with this exhortation, “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another…” (5:11 NASV).
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle. Encourage them. Fortify them. Pour words of strength and courage into their hearts and spirits. And one more thing, be encouraged yourself. You don’t walk alone. You always have an “audience of one”. He is with you and He has a “Barnabas the Encourager” on the way to encourage you, and to just maybe, help turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Let me add, be an encourager. It has been said that everyone is either in the midst of the battle, just coming out of a battle, or about to enter the battle. At first glance, this is often not visible. A smile often masks deep feelings. The writer of the Proverbs put it this way, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14:13 NASV)
God’s directive to Moses in Deuteronomy 3 is very interesting. The children of Israel had finished 40 years in the wilderness. They were about to enter the land of “milk and honey”. The “promised land”. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But God knew that the real battle was just ahead. Amorites, Hittites and all of the other “ites” were waiting to steal, kill and destroy God’s promises to His children. In verse 28 God tells Moses to “charge Joshua,”and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.” (KJV) This “encourage” was not just a “pep talk”. The meaning of the word is to “fasten upon… strengthen to become even stronger… fortify”. I can imagine that this took quite some time. They probably had a few “counseling sessions” as Moses poured into Joshua’s heart, and spirit, the encouragement that it would take to persevere in the days ahead.
“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together”. We have all heard this admonition to remind us not to miss church. But why? Why do we assemble together? To “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASV). Worship is important. Sermons are wonderful. But could it be possible, that a core reason to meet together is to encourage one another? Something far beyond the “How ya doing?” and “Good to see ya!” platitudes we usually give each other as we pass in the aisle.
Just like the children of Israel, we have an enemy who came to steal, kill and destroy our walk with Christ. Too often we try to fight this battle alone. Remember that the enemy is strong and powerful. Someone once said, “The strength of the wolf is the pack,and the strength of the pack is the wolf”. Sounds like Hebrews 3:13, “But encourage one another, day after day, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” When reminding the church at Thessalonica of the sure return of the Lord, Paul ended with this exhortation, “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another…” (5:11 NASV).
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle. Encourage them. Fortify them. Pour words of strength and courage into their hearts and spirits. And one more thing, be encouraged yourself. You don’t walk alone. You always have an “audience of one”. He is with you and He has a “Barnabas the Encourager” on the way to encourage you, and to just maybe, help turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Friday, April 1, 2011
Soul Care
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 have been encouraging verses for me for a very long time. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (ESV)
Often in the New Testament, the writers refer to the “God of all grace”… or the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Amazing Grace. What’s important to understand is that we sometimes received the Grace of God poured into our lives through the life of others. Strong’s Concordance describes grace (charis) with these words, divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life. And don’t miss this, God comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction.
Let me paraphrase all of this if I might:
When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life, so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time. And on and on it goes.
Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around, so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around.
Source:AACC
Often in the New Testament, the writers refer to the “God of all grace”… or the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Amazing Grace. What’s important to understand is that we sometimes received the Grace of God poured into our lives through the life of others. Strong’s Concordance describes grace (charis) with these words, divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life. And don’t miss this, God comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction.
Let me paraphrase all of this if I might:
When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life, so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time. And on and on it goes.
Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around, so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around.
Source:AACC
Friday, March 25, 2011
"Hope"
“Speak Lord, because I am listening! I don’t want to hear any other voice but Yours, the voice of truth. The words You speak to my heart are powerful and convicting. You are telling me that I can do it…that I can make the finish line! The Lord is telling me to run to Him Who is waiting with open arms. The Lord is waiting to come to my rescue! Amen. Thank you, Daddy!” — Jen Barrick in Hope out Loud
Hope. The concept may be one of the least understood, and yet most common phrases we hear. “I hope I get that job.” “I hope today is better than yesterday.” “I hope it doesn’t rain on our parade.” Somehow, that is not the feeling that I get when I read Jen’s prayer. Her prayer of hope is much deeper. Much more active. Hope birthed through pain and trial.
At age 15, Jen was involved in a horrible head-on car crash. A drunk driver going around 80 miles per hour hit the family van and, as a result, she suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Before that tragic day, Jen was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. She loved God with all of her heart. She read His word every morning and memorized many verses. Then, in an instant, she was changed into a broken girl, in a deep coma, struggling for life. The doctors warned her family that even if she did emerge from the coma in a timely manner, she would be different. Probably angry and irritable, cursing and crying. That’s why it was a miracle when, even in the coma, she would start praying out loud in the middle of the night. And, as she did begin to come out of the coma, before she could even recognize her own mother, brother or dad, Jen started quoting Scripture out loud.
Jen will never be the same. She will never do most of the things that she used to do. But she radiates with God’s presence. The prayer quoted above is from her journal that she wrote after the accident. Full of hope. Full of trust. Full of God.
Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV) In the Hebrew, the word is qavah (kaw-vaw) and means “to bind together by twisting”. This is not a sit back and “hope” something happens. The word here speaks of “hope” in action, and yet, it is not about activity. This is not the flurry we so often get caught up in of trying to make things happen. Rather, the energy in this kind of hope is found in deep, intimate, uninhibited communication with God. Intertwining ourselves with Him. Immersed in His presence. Now read the verse again,those who “bind themselves to God by intertwining themselves with Him”, will renew their strength. Wow, the verse takes on a new life does it not?
Your story may not hold the pain that Jen’s does. Or it may. It really doesn’t matter. This kind of hope is offered to all who will journey with God. Bound to Him. Intertwined. A hope that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC,Jen Barrick
Hope. The concept may be one of the least understood, and yet most common phrases we hear. “I hope I get that job.” “I hope today is better than yesterday.” “I hope it doesn’t rain on our parade.” Somehow, that is not the feeling that I get when I read Jen’s prayer. Her prayer of hope is much deeper. Much more active. Hope birthed through pain and trial.
At age 15, Jen was involved in a horrible head-on car crash. A drunk driver going around 80 miles per hour hit the family van and, as a result, she suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Before that tragic day, Jen was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. She loved God with all of her heart. She read His word every morning and memorized many verses. Then, in an instant, she was changed into a broken girl, in a deep coma, struggling for life. The doctors warned her family that even if she did emerge from the coma in a timely manner, she would be different. Probably angry and irritable, cursing and crying. That’s why it was a miracle when, even in the coma, she would start praying out loud in the middle of the night. And, as she did begin to come out of the coma, before she could even recognize her own mother, brother or dad, Jen started quoting Scripture out loud.
Jen will never be the same. She will never do most of the things that she used to do. But she radiates with God’s presence. The prayer quoted above is from her journal that she wrote after the accident. Full of hope. Full of trust. Full of God.
Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV) In the Hebrew, the word is qavah (kaw-vaw) and means “to bind together by twisting”. This is not a sit back and “hope” something happens. The word here speaks of “hope” in action, and yet, it is not about activity. This is not the flurry we so often get caught up in of trying to make things happen. Rather, the energy in this kind of hope is found in deep, intimate, uninhibited communication with God. Intertwining ourselves with Him. Immersed in His presence. Now read the verse again,those who “bind themselves to God by intertwining themselves with Him”, will renew their strength. Wow, the verse takes on a new life does it not?
Your story may not hold the pain that Jen’s does. Or it may. It really doesn’t matter. This kind of hope is offered to all who will journey with God. Bound to Him. Intertwined. A hope that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC,Jen Barrick
Thursday, March 24, 2011
“W-I-I-F-M”.
Most really good sales people can immediately tell you what this acronym means. It has been pounded into their psyche. The knowledge of the depth of its meaning will drive them to success. The words? “What’s In It For Me?” The question every person asks every day, about seemingly everything in their lives. Answer this question for the prospective buyer, and you make the sale. In this self consumed world that we live in, the concept of “others” and “generosity” is sadly, a forgotten grace.
God loves a “cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And so does everyone I know. However, in scripture, it is not the receiving of gifts (as much fun as that is) that is really significant. The greater blessing comes from giving the gift. Paul goes on to say in verses 6-11, “The point is this”… when we give “bountifully” (generously)… not grudgingly, or because we feel that we “must – or else”, God will then pour out His grace abundantly on us. Not just for our sufficiency, but so that we can be generous to those around us. Why? To produce “thanksgiving to God.”
When was the last time you were generous? It could have been a simple word of encouragement. An “at-a-boy” at a ball game. (I love what Benjamin West said, “A kiss from my mother made me a painter.”) How about a handwritten note to a friend? Or taking a couple out to dinner that is going through hard times? Maybe an anonymous gift to a family with no job? Gifts that are given with no motive beyond the simple joy of generosity.
The true spirit of giving can only flow out of a heart that has experienced God’s gift of Grace. Paul’s exhortation concerning generosity was anchored in God’s “indescribable gift” — His son Jesus (vs 15). Our generosity must be fixed securely there as well.
W-I-I-F-M? Cheerful giving brings abundant sufficiency and blessings from God.
Generosity. It just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
God loves a “cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And so does everyone I know. However, in scripture, it is not the receiving of gifts (as much fun as that is) that is really significant. The greater blessing comes from giving the gift. Paul goes on to say in verses 6-11, “The point is this”… when we give “bountifully” (generously)… not grudgingly, or because we feel that we “must – or else”, God will then pour out His grace abundantly on us. Not just for our sufficiency, but so that we can be generous to those around us. Why? To produce “thanksgiving to God.”
When was the last time you were generous? It could have been a simple word of encouragement. An “at-a-boy” at a ball game. (I love what Benjamin West said, “A kiss from my mother made me a painter.”) How about a handwritten note to a friend? Or taking a couple out to dinner that is going through hard times? Maybe an anonymous gift to a family with no job? Gifts that are given with no motive beyond the simple joy of generosity.
The true spirit of giving can only flow out of a heart that has experienced God’s gift of Grace. Paul’s exhortation concerning generosity was anchored in God’s “indescribable gift” — His son Jesus (vs 15). Our generosity must be fixed securely there as well.
W-I-I-F-M? Cheerful giving brings abundant sufficiency and blessings from God.
Generosity. It just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
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