More Like Jesus? It's Not What You Think! - Part III

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2053:7-11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%202:5-8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013:3-5&version=NIV1984

For 2 days we have been looking at what it really means to become like Jesus.  Not just the good experiences but the bad experiences as well.  Not just the qualities that we are immediately drawn to but the qualities that we have a more difficult time embracing.  The problem is when it comes to ‘becoming like Jesus’ we can’t pick and chose which parts we want to emulate and which parts we want don’t want to emulate.  It is, as they say, a ‘package’ deal.  My eyes have been opened to this reality over the past couple years.

Like many of you, there have been rough stretches in my life.  Nothing cataclysmic mind you, but rough nonetheless.  Times when I wasn’t appreciated.  Or when I heard what others had said about me.  Times when my plans weren’t working out.  Times when I was sick.  Lonely.  Discouraged.  Times when God seemed distant.  Uncaring.  At times such as this I cried out to God.  And He revealed to me that I had actually prayed for the things I was going through!  Really?  “I never prayed for any of this”, I replied.  “Oh, but you did!”, He seemed to say to me.  “I have it right here.  March 20th you prayed to become like Jesus.  And again, April 16th.  Then I received the same request from you on June 6th, July 14th and twice on August 7th.  Yes, you have repeatedly prayed for the things you are going through!”  Ouch!  I had never looked at it this way before.  You see, I expected that when I prayed to ‘become like Jesus’ that God was going to magically transform me.  That it was going to be instant.  Painless.  Simple.  It’s not.

So before we pray to become like Jesus I think we need to pause.  To pause and reflect just exactly what it is that we are asking for.  To consider the answer to the following questions.  If we really want to become like Jesus are we ready to be misunderstood by others?  A spouse?  A child?  A co-worker?  A friend?  Are we OK with them thinking that we are ‘holier-than-thou’?  Or that we have gone off the deep end?  Or have taken this ‘religious thing’ too far? 

Are we willing to be betrayed?  By someone close to us?  Someone whom we trusted?  Someone whom we poured our hearts out to?  Someone whom we thought was a friend?  Are we willing to be denied?  To see friends and loved ones walk away from us?  To say that they never really loved us in the first place?  Are we prepared to be humiliated?  To be made fun of?  To become the butt of jokes?  To have people do so in public?  For everyone to see?

Are we willing to be rejected?  To be mistreated?  To be publicly taunted?  Are we willing to humble ourselves?  To let others go first?  To quietly let others receive the credit for things that we have done?  Are we willing to serve others?  Not just when it’s convenient but also when it’s inconvenient?  Not just when we want to but also when we don’t want to?  Are we willing to sacrifice?  Our time?  Money?  Possessions?  Opportunities?  Reputation?  Our lives?

Wow.  These are very heavy questions.  I would dare say that these are things that we never considered when we prayed to become like Jesus.  But they are questions that need to be asked.  And thought about.  There is a very good reason why Jesus said that if anyone would come after Him that they must first “deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Me.”  You see, becoming like Jesus is serious business.  It’s not a bed of roses.  It’s a cross.  And a crown of thorns.

So, by all means, we should pray to be like Jesus.  I don’t want to discourage anyone from praying that prayer!  But, by the same token, I think we ought to carefully consider what we are really praying for.  And to consider just what the answer to our prayer might really look like.  This way we won’t be upset and accuse God when life gets rough.  We will accept it.  Why, we might even embrace it.  Because we will realize that we prayed for it.  That it is all a part of ‘becoming like Jesus’.  And that is a good thing.  A very good thing.  It is what God has destined for us.  Who we were created to be - like Jesus!

Lord, my eyes have been fully opened to the what becoming like Jesus really means.  I understand the difficulty, suffering and hardship that may be involved at times.  That it is not a bed of roses.  But a cross and a crown of thorns.  Yet I pray that prayer anyway.  I pray it with sincerity.  With passion.  Help me to become like Jesus.  In His name, Amen.

More Like Jesus? It's Not What You Think! - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10:45&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2011:29&version=NKJV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2053:2-5&version=NIV1984

Today I want to continue my post from yesterday about praying to become like Jesus.  This is a great prayer.  A prayer that every Christian should pray.  The point I’m trying to make is that we need to be aware of just exactly what we are praying for.  And what it may look like.

In His life, Jesus experienced humiliation.  There was the humiliation of being stripped and handled roughly by the Roman guards.  The humiliation of being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem as a common criminal.  Bloody.  Stumbling.  Too weak to carry His own cross.  A crown of thorns upon His head.  The humiliation of being labeled an enemy of the Roman Empire.  The humiliation of being crucified.  Between 2 thieves.  The humiliation of slowly dying in public for everyone to see.  Including His enemies.

Jesus was also rejected.  Rejected by the people of His hometown of Nazareth.  Where friends and neighbors sought to throw Him over a cliff.  So much for a Welcome Home party!  He was rejected by the religious leaders of His day.  Those men who claimed to both know and be serving God.  He was rejected by the High Priest.  That man who was the human representative of God.  As John 1:11 tells us, “He came to His own and His own did not receive Him.”  Instead they cried out, “Give us Barabbas!”.  Is there any greater rejection than this?

Jesus experienced mistreatment.  Big time.  An illegal arrest.  Under cover of darkness.  He also underwent an illegal trial.  In the middle of the night.  With no one to plead His case.  Beaten.  Blindfolded and slapped.  Punched.  Numerous times.  Spit upon.  Whipped until His bare back was a mess of shredded flesh and bloody pulp.  Given over to be crucified even though Pilate knew that He had done nothing deserving of death.

Jesus experienced taunting.  While He was dying on the cross.  While His life was slowly ebbing from His body.  How much is enough, anyway?  Wasn’t it enough that He had been condemned to death?  That He was beaten almost beyond recognition?  That He was dying a horrible, cruel, painful death right before their eyes?  Apparently it wasn’t.  “He saved others but He cannot save Himself.  Let this Christ come down from the cross that we may see and believe.”   Taunting a dying man.  This is about as bad as it gets.

But in trying to understand who Jesus was, we soon realize that He can’t be reduced simply to the experiences that He had during His life.  There were other characteristics that Jesus willingly took on that also defined who He was.  Such as humility.  The humility of Jesus is seen in the fact that He went home with His earthly parents at age 12 and was obedient to them.  Even though the religious leaders of the time were amazed by how much He knew.  Jesus’ humility is also seen by His use of power.  His power, as exhibited in healings and other miracles, was never to impress people.  It was always used to help others and to demonstrate the truth of His teachings.  That He was, indeed, the Son of God.  That the Kingdom of God had now come. Then there is John 13 where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.  Really?  Washing the dirty, dusty, stinking feet of others?  Finally there is Jesus’ willingness to be beaten and crucified.  Especially considering who He was (the Son of God) and His power to prevent it from happening in the first place.

There is also Jesus’ willingness to serve others.  Not once in the Gospels did Jesus treat His disciples as His personal slaves, whose only value was in doing His bidding.  No, Jesus treated His disciples as valued members of His team.  More often that not, He served them.  And He served others.  Men and women.  Adults and children.  Healthy and the sick.  Law-abiding citizens and the outcasts of society.  And He served all the time.  Publicly and privately.  In fact, this was one of Jesus’ constant themes to His disciples.  That they ought to serve each other the way that He had served them.

Of course, it is hard to think of serving people without sacrifice.  For Jesus, sacrifice was a way of life.  It wasn’t His life to lead, any way that He chose to.  It was all about what His Father wanted Him to do.  Among other things Jesus also sacrificed His time.  His privacy.  His reputation.  And ultimately His life.

I hope that by this point You are getting a pretty good glimpse of what life was really like for Jesus.  This is important for us to keep in mind if we truly want to become like Him.  Some final thoughts on this subject tomorrow.

Lord, again I must confess that I had no idea how difficult and demanding life was for Jesus.  None.  While He certainly was famous and popular, and no doubt some people really loved and appreciated Him, there were others.  Others who despised Him.  Who envied Him.  Who wanted to use Him.  And try to control Him.  Who hated Him.  If I am going to become like Jesus can I expect anything less?  Hardly.  Help me to carefully consider the cost when I pray to become like Him.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Like Jesus? It's Not What You Think! - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16:24&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8:20&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027:27-31&version=NIV1984

Jesus.  As we read about Him in the Gospels He seems like a pretty neat guy.  The kind of guy we admire.  Good.  Kind.  Thoughtful.  Helping others.  Brave.  His own man.  Of course, we understand from Scripture that we are not just to admire Jesus but to become like Him.  That is our goal in this life.  To become like Jesus.  So we pray for this.  I know that I do.  And no doubt you do, too.  On many occasions.  And that’s a good thing.  The question is, ‘Do we really understand what we are praying for?’  Better yet, how it might be answered?  I don’t think so.

In Matthew 20 we have Salome, along with her sons, James & John, coming to Jesus.  Salome, looking out for her boys, has a request of Jesus.  That her 2 sons will sit at His right and left when He establishes His kingdom.  Say what you want about her request, one thing is certain and Jesus stated this.  She really didn’t know what she was asking.  Because she didn’t understand the kind of King Jesus would be.  Nor the kind of kingdom He would be establishing.  Nor the kind of sacrifice that would be required to obtain these positions of honor.  I often think about Salome’s request when I think of our prayers to become like Jesus.  Let me explain.

You see, when we pray to become more like Jesus we often have an incomplete understanding of who Jesus really was.  And what it takes to become like Him.  Like you, when I pray to become more like Jesus, what I am basically asking God to do is to help me become more kind.  Loving.  Gentle.  Good.  Thoughtful.  Great characteristics, for sure.  Unfortunately, this is only a portion of what it means to become like Jesus.  It is the naive view.  The view that thinks that Jesus had it relatively easy on earth.  Really?  When we think like this do we have any kind of idea of who Jesus was?  The reality is that if we want to be like Jesus then we need to have some of the same experiences that Jesus had.  And not all of those experiences were good.  Or pleasant.  On the contrary.  Many of the experiences that Jesus went through we naturally shrink back from.  So what were some of these experiences that made Jesus who He was?

Well, for beginners, the Bible tells us that Jesus was misunderstood.  Misunderstood by the religious leaders of His day.  Misunderstood by His disciples.  Misunderstood by His own family.  Now that’s a lot of misunderstanding, don’t you think?  Among other things Jesus was accused of being a law-breaker.  A rebel.  A heretic.  An opportunist.  A deceiver.  In league with Satan.  Clearly Jesus was very misunderstood by a great many people.

Then we see that Jesus was also betrayed.  By Judas.  One of His disciples.  Someone who, at that point, was probably closer to Jesus than His own family.  Someone whom He had poured 3+ years of His life into.  Someone who was a part of His team.  Someone whom He should have been able to trust.  Oops!

Jesus also experienced denial.  By Peter.  Another disciple.  What is it with these disciples?  How much pain Peter’s denial brought Jesus we can’t even begin to imagine.  Denying 3 times that He never even knew Jesus!  Wow.  That one really hurt.  And this from one of Jesus’ closest earthly friends.  

I will continue with more of this thought on tomorrow's post.  In the meantime reflect on what you've already read.

Lord, I confess that when I pray to become like Jesus that I really don't know what I am praying.  Not in the least!  O Lord, give me an accurate picture of what this prayer really involves.  So that I can pray it with a sincere heart.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

5 Words

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28:20&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13:5&version=NIV1984

Words.  We say and use them all the time.  To make sentences.  Usually a sentence needs to contain a certain number of words in order to communicate a thought.  That number could be anything.  Generally speaking, a sentence needs at least 5 or 6 words.  That’s if every word is carefully chosen and conveys the thought correctly.  Otherwise more words are needed.  There are times, however, when too many words can muddle the thought.  Sometimes brevity is, indeed, blessed.

So lately I did a little research on the Internet to find what are the most important words.  In 6 words or less.  As you can imagine, these so-called ‘important' words vary greatly, depending upon the thought and the person who selects the words.  In my research I did run into a couple of neat expressions of words.  From the world of business we have the following:

          The 6 most important words: “I admit that I was wrong!”

          The 5 most important words: “You did a great job.”

          The 4 most important words: “What do you think?”
          The 3 most important words: “May I help?”
          The 2 most important words: “Thank You!”
          The most important word: “We.”
          The least important word: “I”

Then there is the play on words that I found listed below:
          There's only 1 thing, 2 do, 3 words, 4 you, I LOVE YOU :)

Of course, there are other variations of the most important words.  One that I prefer is:

          The 3 most important words: “I love you”
          The 2 most important words: “I’m sorry” or “thank you”   (equally important)
          The most important word: “Please”    (Of course “Yes” or “No” could also apply, depending upon the circumstances.

But what I want to focus on is 5 words that I read in a devotional a couple days ago: I am with You always.  Hopefully you recognize these words.  They are from the lips of Jesus in Matthew 28:20.  The situation is that He has been crucified and risen again.  He has been with His disciples and now He is going away.  To Heaven.  He will no longer physically be with them as He was for the past 3+ years.  This is going to take quite an adjustment on their part.  If you’ve ever had a loved one move away, or lost one to death, then you know the kind of adjustment that is needed.  Before He left, Jesus said these 5 words to His disciples as a means of comforting them.  And providing them with assurance.  In the future, as the disciples eventually scattered across the Roman Empire, no doubt they remembered these last words of Jesus.  And they did, indeed, bring them comfort and assurance.  These words are no less important to us today.

There are times when we feel alone in the world.  We can be physically alone.  Or we can be emotionally alone.  There are times when the world seems dark.  Evil.  Foreboding.  The thought that we are going through it alone, or in our own strength, can be very frightening.  And discouraging.  It is at times such as these that we need to remember these 5 words of Jesus: I am with you always.  What a wonderful promise!  In our times of doubt, Jesus is with us.  In those times when fear threatens to overwhelm us, Jesus is with us.  In those days when God seems so far away, Jesus is with us.  The fact is that no matter where we go, or what we do, Jesus is with us.  Always!

Lord, I am so thankful for Your words to me:  I am with you always.  What an encouragement they are to me.  How comforting.  And assuring.  May I always remember these words.  In good times.  And bad.  For they are some of the dearest words that I know.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Year's Worth Of Kindness

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:10&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:16&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:10&version=NIV1984

On Valetine’s Day I ran across a rather unique website. That’s saying something with the wide range of websites that are available on the Internet. This particular website is called 366 Random Acts Of Kindness.  It is the product of Ryan Garcia.  Garcia is a 30-year-old sales representative who lives in Chicago.  As you might deduce from the title of his website, Garcia’s goal for 2012 is to do one random act of kindness each day.  For the entire year.  Talk about a lofty goal, this is it!       

As 2012 approached, Garcia was still basking in the glow of being a first-time dad to his daughter, Isla.  She became the inspiration behind his adventure.  On his December 31st post, Garcia wrote the following:

    My daughter is 3 months old.  She is starting to become more and more aware of her surroundings every single day.  As of now, she doesn't have a worry in the world and I intend to keep it that way.  I also want her to appreciate what she has and strive to give back to those around her.  There are a ton of people out there who have worries both big and small.  I know I can't solve every problem for every person, but I am going to try to do my part.

So since January 1st Garcia has been involved in performing one random act of kindness per day.  This has included giving out free hugs in downtown Chicago, climbing 80 flights of stairs for a children’s fund raiser, and clearing the snow off of all the vehicles parked on his block.  We’re talking city block here!  In addition to his daily acts of service, Garcia is donating 10 cents for every ‘like’ on his website and every follower. 

A month-and-a-half into his project, Garcia has already touched the lives of many people.  A soldier and his family whom he took out to a college basketball game.  An inner city pastor who’s trying to raise money to build a community center in crime-infested area of the city.  A teenager who’s been battling brain cancer for 3 years.  And he is inspiring others to do the same.  Reports have come in of others who are also doing random acts of kindness of their own.

So do you really believe that one person can’t make a difference in the world?  Ryan Garcia is proof that one person, living among 8 million others, can make a difference.  The fact is that any person can make a difference.  Young or old.  Rich or poor.  Male or female.  Black or white.  All you have to do is something.  Anything.  For someone else.  Of course, as Christians, this should be a regular part of our lives.  It is one of the reasons why we exist.  So that the love of God can flow through us to the lives of others.

I encourage you to stop by and visit Garcia’s website.  http://www.366randomacts.org/  And to pray about what random acts of kindness you might be able to do for others.  Like letting others go first.  Or giving someone a compliment.  Or a helping hand.  Volunteering.  Or donating something.  Or giving a financial gift to someone or to some worthwhile organization.  It’s just like Jesus said.  “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  So try giving.  Do an act of random kindness today.  And make a difference in the world.

Lord, help me to realize that You want to make a difference in the world.  And that You want to use me in the process.  Give me eyes to see ways that I can touch the lives of others.  Through a compliment.  A smile.  A word of encouragement.  A helping hand.  In so doing help me to reflect Your love for others.  And may people be drawn to You in the process.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Whatever!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:31&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3:23&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4:11&version=NIV1984

Occasionally new words get added to our vocabulary.  Think of all the words associated with computers.  Upload.  Download.  Internet.  Webpage.  Software.  Hard drive.  Cursor.  Icon.  The list is endless.  I wasn’t aware of how much these words had infiltrated our culture until a couple months ago.  I was pitching to our 4-year-old grandson Brett inside our house.  (Don’t worry, it was a plastic bat and ball!).  After swinging at a pitch and missing, he told me, “Pap Pap, I just made a delete!”  Now in 50 years of being around baseball I have never heard a strike referred to as a 'delete'.  His comment really made me laugh!

There is another word that has invaded our culture recently.  Especially among the younger generation.  It is the word ‘whatever’.  Now it’s not like 'whatever' is a brand new word.  Quite frankly it has been around for hundreds of years.  What is new about it is its current usage.  When you are talking to your teen about something and they reply ‘whatever’, this is not a good reply.  Basically what it means is, “I don’t care.”  “Aaron, you’re room is really messy.  I think you ought to clean it up.”  He responds, “Whatever.”  Basically you’ve just wasted your breathe because your teenager has no intention of cleaning his room.  In the larger scheme of things, ‘whatever’ is a rude response.  A sign of disrespect.  When a person says this to you they really don’t care what you think, say or do.  They are going to do what they want to do.  End of discussion.  I was joking with someone just the other day that there was a time when a child’s first word was ‘No!”.  Now it is ‘whatever’!

I am glad that this word wasn’t popular when my children were growing up.  Because in all honesty, I wouldn’t have accepted it as a response.  And I would hope that my children would love and respect me enough not to even think of using it as a response.  But as negative as this word is, it is a word that I think more Christians ought to use with God.  Whoa!  Just exactly where are you going with this one, you are wondering?  Relax.  I’m not about to get you struck by a bolt out of the blue!

As much as I despise the popular use of the word ‘whatever’ I would say that, for the Christian, it can be the ultimate word of surrender.  Think about that.  When we say 'whatever' to God it means that we are willing to do what He wants us to do.  We are willing to say ‘whatever’ God wants us to say.  Willing to avoid swearing or crude language.  Willing to apologize when necessary.  Willing to witness to others.  It also means that we are also willing to do ‘whatever’ God asks us to do.  Respect authority.  Go the extra mile.  Forgive.  Love our enemies.  You see, when we say ‘whatever’ to God, we are saying that we don’t care.  Not that we don’t care about keeping His commands or doing what He asks us to do.  Quite the opposite.  We are saying that we don’t care what He asks us to do - we will do it.  In others word, we are completely surrendered to God.  Sold out.  That He can do ‘whatever’ He wants to us, and we’ll accept it.  Without arguing.  Or complaining.

So maybe this would be a good word for us to express to God frequently.  “Lord, I am willing to do whatever You want me to do.  To accept whatever Your will is for my life.”  If we would pray this prayer, and really mean it, I wonder how different our lives would be?  And our world?  There’s only one way to find out.

Lord, I confess that ‘whatever’ is not a word that I naturally want to say to You.  Because I want to have some say in how my life is lived.  Yet it is the word that You most long to hear from me.  Because it is a word of surrender.  Of trust.  Of love.  Help me that I will be able to say ‘whatever’ to You.  And mean it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A True Superhero

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=COl+1%3A15-17&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+17:14&version=NIV1984

Like most boys, I enjoyed reading comic books.  Especially ones about Superheroes.  Superman.  Batman & Robin.  Green Lantern.  Captain America.  Spiderman.  The Incredible Hulk.  Since we didn’t have a TV, reading about Superheroes was one of my passions.  What’s not to like about them?  Rescuing people. Fighting against evil.  Always saving the day.  Every boy dreams of one day becoming a Superhero.  Of course, the costumes are a big, big draw as well.

Fortunate for me, a couple years ago my 3-year-old grandson, Brett, developed an interest in Superheroes.  Not in comic books.  But DVD’s.  Sweet.  So whenever I had the time we would watch the Superfriends and the Hall Of Justice.  And root against the Legion Of Doom.  Of course, the inevitable happened.  Brett wanted a cape like Superman.  A belt like Batman.  And a ring like Green Lantern.  I can’t say that I blame him.  I think a part of me still would like these things as well.

This past week in our adult Sunday School class I made the following observation.  Superheroes, once the domain of young boys, has now become mainstream.  It’s now OK for adults to like Superheroes.  Evidence of their universal appeal is seen by the number of movies that Hollywood has produced featuring Superheroes over the past couple decades.  Superman.  Batman.  Spiderman.  Green Lantern.  Iron Man.  Captain America.  The Incredible Hulk.  The Incredibles.  The Fantastic Four.  And many others.  The reason why Hollywood is making movies about Superheroes is that they are extremely popular.  And profitable.  So just exactly why are Superheroes so popular these days?

I suppose that there are a number of reasons.  First of all, we like Superheroes because they are strong.  Smart.  Brave.  Resilient.  Qualities that we admire.  Secondly, we like it when good triumphs over evil.  When the good guy wins and the bad guys loses.  This always happens with Superheroes.  The Superhero always wins.  And the bad guys always lose.  We also like when innocent or helpless people are rescued.  We like the fact that one person (albeit a Superhero) can make a difference in the world.  We also like that Superheroes, when not using their superpowers, are ordinary.  Just like us.  A student.  A newspaper reporter.  An engineer.  Finally, I think we like Superheroes because they are an escape from the world we live in.  In the Superhero world, everything always ends up the way it’s supposed to.  So unlike the real world.

The downside of Superheroes is that they don’t actually exist.  Not in the real world.  No human possess supernatural abilities or powers.  No human is above the law and can punish the bad guys.  Fighting crime has to be left to the professionals.  Of course, there is the very real danger of getting killed.  Or seriously wounded.  Worse yet, we could get sued!  By the bad guys!  We could end up in jail while they take our money!  So while Superheroes fill a void in our lives, they do so temporarily.  As soon as the lights come back on and we leave the theater, we are left with a world devoid of Superheroes.  Or are we?

The Bible tells us that there is one Superhero.  If I can call Him that.  He is Someone we can always count on.  Someone who is good and who has triumphed over evil.  Someone who rescues the weak and the powerless.  Someone who has all kind of qualities that we admire.  Someone who made a profound difference in our world.  Of course, the Superhero in question is Jesus.

In a day when evil seems so strong, Jesus is stronger.  Infinitely stronger.  All the forces of Hell are no match for Him!  Jesus is also a person we can always look up to.  Always.  Good.  Holy.  Righteous.  Pure.  Those are the adjectives that describe His personality.  He is also the kind of Person we can model our lives after.  And He will never let us down.

So the next time you get discouraged with life and long for a Superhero, look no further than Jesus.  He is the only One you’ll ever need!

Lord, I thank you that in a world which is so big, so frightening, and so evil, I have Someone I can count on.  Someone who has conquered sin, death and evil.  Someone who stands for righteousness and justice.  Someone who loves me.  And is my Friend.  Jesus.  Amen.

Slowly Starving To Death

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%204:1-4&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%203:15-17&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055:1&version=NIV1984

Yesterday I came across an incredible story.  Last Friday two snowmobilers were out in the back country near the town of Umea, located in northeastern Sweden.   They came upon what they thought was a deserted car just off a forest road.  But when they uncovered the vehicle they received the shock of their lives.  44-year-old Peter Skyllberg was lying down on a sleeping bag in the back seat.  He was in very bad condition and could barely speak, muttering, “snow...eat”.  He had practically starved to death.  Skyllberg was immediately taken to a local hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery.

What is truly amazing about Skyllberg is that he had been trapped inside his vehicle since December 19, 2011.  That is 60 days!  In all that time Skyllberg subsisted on a few candy bars and drinks.  And snow.  Now a human being can go 30 days without food if they have water to drink.  But to go 60 days is practically unheard of.  Medical personnel believe because Skyllberg’s car was buried by snow that it created a kind of ‘igloo’ effect inside his car.  They also believe that Skyllberg went into some form of hibernation where his body’s functions slowed drastically.  This meant that he could get by without much, if any, food.

Now I would call his discovery and survival a miracle, wouldn’t you?   Unfortunately, in all the accounts I read of the incident, not one person referred to God’s part in this.  In fact, one article said that it was “a stroke of luck” that the two snowmobilers found Skyllberg.  Really?  Doesn’t anyone remotely think that God may have had something to do with it?  Or the fact that Skyllberg lasted for 2 months with almost no food?  Sadly, in our world God gets all the blame when things go bad.  And none of the credit when good things happen.

Skyllberg’s story caused me to think of a spiritual application.  I wonder how many Christians are starving for God?  How long has it been since they received nourishment from Him?  How many Sundays have they missed church?  How long have they went without reading their Bible?  Or offering up more than a token prayer?  How long have they gone without ministering to someone in need?  Unfortunately, the answer in some cases is months.  Maybe even years.  Without God.  Or very little of Him.  You ask, ‘Can they truly be Christians?’  That is debatable.  One thing is for certain.  They aren’t in very good spiritual health.  Spiritually-speaking they are starving to death.  Funny thing is, they think that they are OK.  But in reality they are wasting away.  Down to skin and bones.  Barely alive.

This is the danger that we all face.  One day we are healthy.  We have a living, dynamic, vital relationship with God.  But at some point in time, our spiritual life takes a turn for the worse.  It could be because of sin.  Or busyness.  Or apathy.  Before long, we don’t spend much time with God.  We hardly even think of Him.  The still, small voice of the Holy Spirit gets drowned out.  To the point where we don’t hear Him at all.  Instead of love, joy, peace and the rest of the Fruit of the Spirit, our lives are filled with lust, anger, greed, envy, worry, and a host of other sins.  Yet we hardly even notice.  But God notices.  And so do others.  The reality is, the same way we can’t stockpile food in our stomachs for the future, neither can we stockpile spiritual nourishment.  We need our daily bread daily!  Today.  Tomorrow.  Next week.  Next month.  Next year.

So a word to the wise.  Guard your relationship with God!  No, you’re not going to starve to death just because you miss church on a Sunday.  Or don’t read your Bible for a day.  Or forget to pray.  But starvation starts with missing a single meal.  And goes from there.  The same is true of our relationship with God.  It starts to deteriorate very innocently.  And goes from there.  So, let’s stay close to God.  So close that if we do miss a day or two with Him, we don’t feel good.  We immediately notice we are weak.  And irritable.  Out-of-sorts.  And we come running back to Him.  As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  This is the best way to keep from slowly starving to death.

Lord, I am sad to think of how many times I have experienced spiritual starvation.  Long times without reading Your Word.  Without any meaningful prayer.  Without the awareness of Your Presence.  And I didn’t even realize it!  I thank you that I have grown since then.  That I now realize how much I need You.  That I couldn’t possibly exist very long, if at all, without You.  Help me to stay close to You.  Every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Three Fronts

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+2:15&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5:17&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+5:8&version=NIV1984

Front.  In normal usage it means the face of an object.  In meteorology it refers to the boundary of two weather systems.  In war it refers to the area where the fighting is going on.  It is where the action is happening.  The bullets are flying.  The bombs are dropping.  The soldiers are attacking and defending.  Depending upon the situation, the front of a small skirmish can be a hundred yards long.  In a world war, a front can be hundreds of miles long.

 

Since wars are won and lost in the fighting that occurs on the front, much attention needs to be devoted to it.  The fighting forces there need to be highly skilled, adequately armed, and of sufficient number to overpower or repulse the enemy.  Of course, such things as strategy and positioning also come into play here.  Given the critical nature of a front, most military strategists want to keep it down to a single location.  The reason for this is that fighting on two fronts can be difficult to manage.  It’s like the difference between having to watch one child or two.  One child can be monitored fairly easily.  Two children is much more difficult.  So having to fight on two fronts means that attention, troops and resources have to be split.  Generally speaking, splitting your army and firepower leads to a weakened force.  And ultimately defeat.  This is where Adolph Hitler made his huge mistake.  Opening a second front by attacking Russia.  It ultimately led to his downfall.

As Christians, we are at war.  Everyday we are in engaged in spiritual warfare.  Unfortunately, our battle isn’t just on one front.  Or even two.  We are at battle on three fronts!  It isn’t fair but it is what it is.  Our enemies are, the world, the flesh, and Satan.  The world is the godless culture that we live in.  That culture that tells us to look out for #1.  To live for ourselves.  As opposed to God.  The flesh is our fallen, sinful nature.  Even though it has been defeated by Jesus, it is still alive within us.  Constantly nipping at our heels, hoping to trip us up.  Then there is Satan.  The archenemy of God.  That Being who is diametrically opposed to God and everything that is connected to God.

Now, fighting on one of these fronts is difficult enough.  But fighting on three fronts?  How do you say the word impossible!  But here is where we would be wrong.  Because with God, nothing is impossible!  First of all, God has given us His Holy Spirit to live inside us.  The Spirit warns us of impending attack.  He also gives us the power to fight our battles, and to fight them effectively.  Secondly, God has given us spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) with which to protect ourselves from the enemy.  Such things as truth.  Righteousness.  God’s Word. 

So even though we are daily waging war on three fronts, we don’t have to panic.  Or be afraid.  Or discouraged.  All we need to do is to trust in the Lord.  He has already won the war.  All we are doing is just mopping up.  But we still need to pay attention.  After all, a battle is going on.  We need to be alert.  We need to be engaged.  We need to fight in Jesus’ power and might.  The end result is assured.  The battle belongs to the Lord!

Lord, daily I find myself in a battle on three fronts.  Each one of these enemies is seeking to destroy me.  Or to at least put me out of commission.  I confess that I don’t have the strength, wisdom or stamina to meet the challenge.  But You do.  So daily help me to rely upon You, and the resources at my disposal, to fight the fight.  And to fight it well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Man With All The Answers

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+13:4&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%202:2-4&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan%207:13-14&version=NIV1984

Here in our country it is a Presidential election year.  This coming November over a hundred million Americans will vote on whether to reelect Barack Obama as President.  Or to elect someone new.  It is a decision that will have serious repercussions.  For our country.  And our world.

One of the reasons why so much importance is attached to electing a President is because, in many people’s eyes, he is seen as ‘The Man With All The Answers’.  Or at least most of them.  We expect that whomever we elect as President will make the economy strong.  And create jobs. Keep inflation in check.  Decrease the national debt.  Clean up the environment.  Be tough on crime.  Protect our individual rights.  Maintain a strong military.  Decrease our dependence upon foreign oil.  Be a strong force for democracy and freedom around the world.  Certainly a tall order.  Realistically, an order that no one man can fulfill.  The harsh reality is that there are no easy answers to our country’s problems.  Our country is so complex these days that no matter what decisions the President makes, while it helps one area, it adversely affects another area.  Despite this fact, it won’t stop candidates, and their respective political party, from claiming that they have the answers our country desperately needs.  And millions of Americans will go to the polls later this year believing this to be true.

Unfortunately, the book of Revelation tells us that one day our entire world is going to be in much worse condition than it is currently.  It is going to be on the brink of disaster.  Until one man steps forward.  The Antichrist.  He is going to be seen as ‘The Man With All The Answers’.  He is going to promise to bring stability, and prosperity, and peace to the world.  And billions of people are going to believe him.  And he will have a few solutions.  In the short-term.  But in the end, he is going to seek to rule the entire world.  Just exactly what humankind has been itching to do ever since Adam & Eve sinned in the Garden.  Unfortunately for the world, the Antichrist is not going to solve the world’s problems.  In fact, long-term, he is only going to make them worse.

Fortunately, there is coming a man somewhere in the future who does have all the answers.  He won’t be elected by the popular vote of the people.  Nor will he be installed to a position of leadership by the military.  This ‘Man With All The Answers’ is none other than Jesus!  And when He returns to earth He will set up His own kingdom.  A kingdom that will rule the world. A kingdom that is in place by the will and power of God.  A kingdom of righteousness and peace.  A kingdom that will solve all of the problems of humankind.  And bring prosperity unlike the world has ever known.

So while we should exercise our freedom to vote let us remember than no one but Jesus has the answers to what ails our country.  And our world.  And no one else has the power to implement the solutions required.  To change laws.  To enforce them.  To bring peace to the entire planet.  Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Lord, almost every day someone is professing to have the answers to our world's problems.  That if we will only put them in charge they will make the world a better place.  Help me to remember that only Jesus has the answers.  Only He can make our world into the place it was created to be.  A place that reflects the majesty and glory of God.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

D. O. A.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%203:18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203:2&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%203:20-21&version=NIV1984

D. O. A.  These are not the kind of initials you want to see.  Especially for a loved one.  These initials are used frequently in emergency rooms all across America.  And also in police reports.  They stand for = Dead On Arrival.  In other words, these initials mean that the person who was taken to the ER was already dead when they arrived.  As opposed to dying in the ER.  This could involve a person who was killed at the scene of an accident or crime.  Or who died while being transported to the hospital.  Either way it means the person died before they were able to receive the benefit of being treated at the ER.  Not that being treated in an ER is a guarantee for survival.  But at least if a person can make it alive to the ER it increases the likelihood that they will survive.

As negative as D. O. A. is, I was thinking about these initials in an entirely different context.  As Christians we are in the process of being transformed into the image of Jesus.  (See Romans 8:29).  This process is known as sanctification.  This is a lifelong process.  Every day the Holy Spirit is doing some remodeling work in our lives.  Pulling up some old habits here.  Some negative thought patterns there.  And replacing them with godly habits.  And holy thoughts.  At times we can despair because there is so much work that needs to be done.  And, quite frankly, that work isn’t going to be complete this side of Heaven.  This is where D. O. A. comes in.

Someday, after we die, we are going to experience D. O. A. the moment we reach Heaven.  Done On Arrival!  The process of sanctification will be completed.  And we will exist in our final state.  Glorified.  Reflecting the full image of God in our entire being.  No more ‘self’ to contend and struggle with.  No more sinful urges and desires that keep nipping at our heels, trying to get us to stray from God’s path.  Everything to do with sin and self will be gone.  We will finally be all that God originally created us to be.  All that we long to be.  Isn’t this a great thought to consider!

On those days when our sanctification seems to be going very slow.  On those days when it seems like we take 1 step forward and 3 steps back.  On those days when we get tired of lugging our sinful nature all over the place, there is hope.  The promise of God for us is that at the moment we arrive in Heaven we will be D. O. A.  Done On Arrival.  Now that is certainly something to get excited about!

Lord, there are times when Your work in transforming me seems to be very slow.  And there are other times when I wonder whether I may have actually regressed!  How comforting it is to know that someday I will be free.  Free from the world.  Free from Satan.  Free from my sinful nature that keeps trying to hinder me from serving you.  I will be Done On Arrival!  May this hope be a source of encouragement and strength for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1000: Big For Us. Small For God.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2046:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter+3:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+105:8&version=NIV1984

1000.  That’s a big number.  Maybe not when compared to 1,000,000.  Or to 100,000.  Or even 10,000.  But it’s a lot compared to 1.  Or 100.  To put into perspective just how much 1000 is, try doing 1000 push ups.  Or 1000 sit ups.  Or preparing a 1000 meals. (At 3 meals per day that would take 11 months.)  Or reading 1000 pages.  (At 20 pages per day it would take 50 days, or pretty close to 2 months.)  Or putting 1000 dollar bills in our wallet or purse.  Yes, for us humans, 1000 is a big number.  A really big number.

Since 1000 is a very big number, we often use it to express the idea of ‘many’ or ‘without number’.  For example, we say such things as “I must have closed that door 1000 times today!”  Or, “I think I’ve heard my name called 1000 times today!”  Certainly we don’t mean a literal 1000.  We just mean a lot.  And 1000 is a lot.

A week or so ago when reading my devotional the author said that we should try to live above our problems.  That we ought to attempt to continuously live in the Presence of Jesus.  That when we find ourselves sinking in the sea of circumstances we should cry ‘Help me, Jesus!’.  And He will help us.  Even if we have to do it 1000 times a day.  There’s that number again.  In other words, it doesn’t matter how many times we need to call upon Jesus.  We can call upon Him an unlimited amount of times.  And He will always answer.  He won’t get mad.  Or complain.  Or refuse to come to our aid.  That’s pretty sweet when we stop and think about it.

This just goes to underscore the difference between us and Jesus.  Yes, if our children call our name 1000 times in a day our ears will fall off!  And we will probably change our name!  Or if we have 1000 interruptions in a given day, we will give up.  We won’t get anything done.  Because 1000 is an overwhelming number.  But not for Jesus.  Call on Him for help 1000 times in one day?  No problem!  He can handle it.  Easily.

So if you find yourself falling into that same old sin, confess it to Jesus.  1000 times a day if you have to.  If your mind starts to worry or go places it shouldn’t go, call out to Jesus.  1000 times if you have to.  If you need strength for the day, wisdom for the future, or comfort over the loss of a loved one, call out to Jesus.  1000 times a day if you have to.  He understands.  He will answer.  Every single time.  Because 1000 is nothing to Him.  You, on the other had, are everything to Him!

Lord, I confess that there are times when I fail You 1000 times.  In a single day.  There are other times when I need Your help 1000 times.  In a single day.  I am glad that I can always come to You.  For anything that I need.  As often as I need to.  Even 1000 times.  With the same request.  You never get impatient.  Or angry.  You want me to come to You.  1000 times, if necessary.  Oh how wonderfully patient You are!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Damage Control? An Alternative.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+6:18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:14&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:14&version=NIV1984

Damage control.  I don’t know when I first heard the term but I do know where.  The media.  It was either in an article that I read or on a newscast that I saw.  Apparently it is a nautical term.  It is used by seaman for emergency procedures that are undertaken when a situation arises which may result in the sinking of a ship.  This could range anywhere from repairing a ruptured pipe to trying to patch a hole in the hull.  In situations such as this, damage control is of the utmost importance.  Lives are at stake.  Of course, damage control can also apply to other situations as well.  Such as oil spills and reactor leaks, etc.

Most often than not, however, the term 'damage control' appears to apply to situations involving people.  We see this in the political realm.  A politician or public official makes a poor comment.  Or one that is taken out of context.  Maybe there is the discovery of some sensitive information.  Whatever it is, the media immediately blows it way out of proportion.  Now this has the potential not only to be very embarrassing but also to cost someone their job.  So damage control is immediately undertaken.  A series of press releases are made in which the comments or information are either 1) clarified 2) downplayed or 3) refuted.  Of course, in our present political environment, people who specialize in damage control (spin doctors, also known as liars!) are in very high demand!

In every day terms, ‘damage control’ can refer to any negative situation a person finds themselves in. Such as a public official who is picked up for a DUI.  Or an educational institution that discovers that one of its personnel has engaged in an illegal activity.  It might apply to a contractor who is in danger of having a potential project derailed.  Or to a person who said something negative about someone behind their back.  And now that person has found out what was said.  So, in these instances, ‘damage control’ is the equivalent as ‘making the best of a bad situation’.  It is trying to do whatever can be done to minimize the damage.  Unfortunately, a large portion of our world, whether it be politicians, corporations, or private citizens are daily involved in damage control.  Now there are indeed times when damage control is necessary.  And even beneficial.  Some unforeseen event happens and, if left to itself, will cause a great deal of harm to a company's or individual's reputation.  But there is no denying the fact that a lot of damage control would be completely unnecessary if only we would practice ‘damage avoidance’.

By ‘damage avoidance’ I am referring to taking steps to avoid potentially damaging situations in the first place.  Take the captain of the Titanic, for example.  Knowing that the ship was entering an iceberg field, he would have been better served to slow down.  To be careful.  Instead of going ‘full speed ahead’.  That action, in and of itself, might have saved 1,500 lives.  But damage avoidance can be practiced in the ordinary areas of life as well.  Not cheating on one’s spouse.  Not drinking and driving.  Not posting negative or inflammatory information on Facebook.  Being careful what we say and to whom we say it.

Of course, as one might imagine, God is into damage avoidance at the expense of damage control.  Yes, God will certainly forgive and help people who either cause damage or are affected by the damage done by others.  But His preferred scenario is that we avoid potentially damaging situations entirely.  In Proverbs 5 - 7 Solomon warns young men of the danger of adultery.  And he lists of some of the damage that can result from this type of activity.  What is Solomon preaching?  Damage avoidance.  “Keep to a path far from her.”  “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty.”  “Do not turn into her.”  Over and over again Solomon begs his readers to avoid potentially damaging situations.

This is a message that we need to hear today.  So many people seem to do and say things, completely oblivious to the dangers involved.  As Christians, it would be far better if we were cautious and obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit than to have to apologize and do damage control afterwards.  It's the same old story.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Besides the potential of hurting ourselves and others, there is always God's reputation to think about as well.

So in our daily lives let us practice danger avoidance.  Let's be careful what we say and do.  Because our words and actions have the potential to hurt us.  Others.  And God's reputation.

Lord, there will no doubt be times in my life when I am going to have to practice damage control.  For a situation that has developed.  Or for something that I thoughtlessly said or did.  Help those situations to be few and far between.  Instead help me to practice damage avoidance.  To steer clear of situations that are going to damage me, others or Your reputation.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Song - How He Loves

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+36:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:35-39&version=NIV1984

Source: livewithallyouvegot

There is song that I have been playing recently for Youth Worship.  It’s entitled How He Loves.  A lot of the teens like it.  It is a song that was made popular by The David Crowder Band.  It appeared on the WOW Hits 2010 worship CD.  The song talks about how much God loves us.  Always a timely theme.  What I didn’t realize about the song until recently was its history.

The author is John Mark McMillan.  McMillan was best friends with Stephen Coffey.  They had grown up together.  Been baptized together.  While McMillan was pursuing a career as a song writer, Coffey was a youth pastor.  On November 1, 2002, Coffey prayed out loud at a church prayer meeting, “I’d give my life today if it would shake the youth of the nation.”   A sincere prayer for sure.  Just not exactly the kind of prayer that one normally hears.  Later that night, Coffey and two others were involved in a multi-car accident.  Soon after, MacMillan’s father called to tell him that Stephen had died.  Naturally, MacMillan was in a state of shock.  The next day MacMillan penned the words to the song, How He Loves.  Afterwards, MacMillan said, “I sat down to have a dialogue with God and, really, He ended up having a dialogue with me. It’s like He was speaking to me through the song.” 

Knowing the background to the song helps to put it in perspective.  Today a lot of young people sing it as this upbeat, feel-good worship song.  But when you understand the circumstances of how and why it was written, you get a whole new appreciation for it.  MacMillan was able to write about tragedy without becoming bitter or cynical.  He was able to bring the Sovereignty of God into perspective.  That what appeared as a tragedy was also a display of God’s love.  Isn’t that so true?  In our deepest, darkest hours God still continues to love us.  And the events that He allows in our lives is also filtered through His love.  Accurate for sure.  Difficult to see at times.  And understand.

So I’ve included the words below.  As well as a link to Crowder’s performance of it.  Enjoy.  Let God minister to you through it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FxaUYjRtkc

HOW HE LOVES

He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy,

When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

I realize just how beautiful You are, and how great Your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us so, oh how He loves us, how He loves us so.

We are His portion and He is our prize, 

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking,

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way that He loves us.

Oh, how He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves,

Yeah, He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves us, oh how He loves.

Lord, I live in the midst of a fallen, sinful, evil world.  A world where bad things happen.  Even to good people.  Help me to understand how deep Your love is for me.  To experience it.  To be confident in it.  Even when circumstances might tell me otherwise.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WIP: Work In Progress

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:29&version=ESV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20COr%203:18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+John+3%3A2-3&version=NIV1984

Years ago, when I was getting my accounting degree (just an Associate’s) I took a number of accounting courses.  In one of those courses I learned how to value inventory.  Now making sure that you have an accurate count of your inventory is extremely important for a business.  In retail businesses, counting the inventory is relatively simple.  You count the number of units that are still in the store.  This could be groceries.  Clothing.  Jewelry.  Whatever that particular business happens to be selling.

Manufacturers, however, present a problem in counting inventory.  This is because not everything is a finished product.  Take an automobile manufacturer, for instance.  It is relatively easy to count the number of finished vehicles that have come off the assembly line.  What is far more difficult is counting the unfinished vehicles.  First, you have raw materials that are used to construct the vehicles.  Such as windshields.  Mirrors.  Steel.  Tires.  Seats.  Then you have ‘work in progress’.  Or WIP.  This is partially-assembled inventory.  Such as a chassis that has the engine installed.  But no seats, windshield, or dashboard.  So the accountant’s job is to figure out what the cost of the various materials in the unfinished product are worth, while also adding in the labor to assemble it.  Counting WIP is time-consuming and difficult to do but it is very important if a company is going to have an accurate valuation of their inventory.  Of course, in any manufacturing company there is always going to be WIP.  Because they are always in the process of assembling a completed product.

Guess what?  Every single Christian is a WIP, too!  That’s right.  We are all in process.  In theological terms this process is called sanctification.  It begins immediately at salvation and will continue until we get to Heaven.  There we will reach the final stage of our spiritual development called glorification.  That time when our sin nature will be forever removed and we will reflect the very image of God in our entire being.  Can’t wait for this to happen!  Right now, however, we are WIP - works in progress.  This is important for us to remember.

First of all, remembering that we are WIP helps us to go easier on ourselves.  I don’t know if you struggle with this or not but I certainly do - being hard on myself.  I am way harder on myself than my family or friends.  And even God at times.  I get discouraged by the continual reminder of my sinful nature that, although it has been de-powerized, is still hanging around.  And I don’t always do God’s will.  Nor do I always want to do God’s will.  There are times when I still want to do my will.  Have my own way.  Remembering that I am not yet perfect, that I am a WIP helps me to see things in perspective.  To quit condemning myself.  To accept myself for who I am - a Christian in whom God is still working.  A work in progress.

Secondly, remembering that we are WIP helps me to go easier on others.  Another thing I struggle with is being judgmental or critical of others.  The fact is that other Christians are at different stages in their Christian development than I am.  Some are further along.  Others are way behind.  It is very easy to become critical of those who are in the beginning stages of the process.  You know.  Christians who still swear.  Or smoke.  Or who don’t attend church regularly.  Remembering that they are a WIP helps me to be more graceful toward them.  God isn’t finished with them yet.  They still have plenty of room to grow.  That is between them and God.  My job is to love them where they’re at.  To pray for them.  To encourage them.  To inspire them to become all that God wants them to be.

So I have learned that I need to be content.  God is still working on me.  And you.  There is still much shaping and fashioning that needs to take place.  Some rough edges that need to be sanded down.  Some time spent in the fire of God’s holiness.  So that the impurities can be burned away.  The good news about being a work in progress is just that.  Progress.  Every day we are becoming more like Jesus.  One day the progress will be over.  We will be complete.  Exactly who we were created to be.  People who reflect the glory and image of Jesus!

Lord, I thank you for the reminder that I am still a WIP.  A work in progress.  No, I haven’t arrived yet.  In fact, I sometimes get discouraged by just how far I have to go.  But I am glad for the progress that I have already made.  And I am happy that the progress is still occurring.  Every day.  Whether I see it or not.  Most of all, I am happy that the progress does have an end.  Someday I will be finished.  Complete.  I will be just like You.  In every way.  O glorious day!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Valentine's Day = Love

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:19&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20cor%2013:4-7&version=NIV1984

Today is Valentine’s Day.  And it also happens to be my brother’s birthday.  Of course, Valentine’s Day is a very special day in our culture.  The theme is very simple - love.  Love for that special someone in our lives.  Usually this love involves someone of the opposite sex.  Such as our spouse.  Or a boyfriend or girlfriend.  Of course, that love can also extend to others as well.  

 
Because of its very nature, Valentine’s Day is well-liked.  After all, what is there not to like about love?  Everybody wants to be loved.  Male and female.  Black and white.  Young and old.  Rich and poor.  Even those who are cynical.  Who have given up on love.  Deep down they want to be loved as well.  When we receive love, we are happy.  Fulfilled.  Satisfied.  We look at the world through the proverbial ‘rose-colored glasses’.  However, when we don’t receive love, when we perceive ourselves to be un-loved, we are not happy.  Instead we are depressed.  Discouraged.  Disillusioned.  We become envious of others who are loved.  We grow cynical about the power of love.  In some cases we might even become suicidal.

Since love is so essential to our well being, we actively search for it.  All the time.  We look for love from a parent.  A friend.  A teacher.  A neighbor.  A co-worker.  Anyone really.  And when we find it, we want that love reaffirmed.  Often.  This reminds me of the funny couplet, “Do you love me or do you not?  You told me once but I forgot!”  The fact is that we need love in the same way that we need food.  We need a constant supply.  We need it affirmed over and over.  This is precisely why Valentine’s Day is so important.  It provides us with an opportunity to have our love from others affirmed.  And to express it to others.

By it’s very nature, love can’t be kept to oneself.  Hoarded.  Stashed away.  When one is truly loved, they want to share it with others.  First of all, they will reciprocate that love with its source.  But they will also share their love with others.  Family members.  Friends.  Neighbors.  Complete strangers.  It doesn’t matter.  This is the nature of love.  When a person is full of love, they invariably want to give it away to others.  To share it.

Now, as Christians, we understand that God is the source of all love.  In fact, not only does all love come from God, God is love.  It is the very essence of His nature.  Since God is love, He is happy.  Content.  Fulfilled.  There is no lack in His being.  And since God is love, He gives that love freely to others.  To people who love Him in return.  And to people who don’t love Him in return.  To people who are angry with Him.  Or despise Him.  Or who deny His existence.  Even to those who reject His love.

Of course, the all-time greatest display of love was demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the cross.  A pure, holy, sinless God-man dying for the sins of people who rejected Him.  Who had no use for Him.  Who despised His love.  It was love that motivated Jesus to pray for His enemies from the cross.  Even though they didn’t deserve it.  This is another aspect of love - its unselfishness.

In our day and age many people would probably say that atomic power is the greatest power known to humankind.  After all, when a single bomb can destroy an entire city and all of its inhabitants, that is power.  And yet, Scripture says that love is the greatest power known to humankind.  Love truly does conquer all.  It is stronger than hate.  Or evil.  Or prejudice.  Or war.  Or injustice.  Or sin.  This is why we, as Christians, are supposed to love others.  Because it helps to advance God's kingdom.  It has the power to penetrate and change even the hardest of hearts.

I hope that you know God’s love today.  If you don’t, you really don’t know what (or rather who) you are missing.  God’s love will completely transform your life.  It will give you the joy, and peace, and meaning that you have been looking for.  And it will transform the lives of others around you.  Because once you have received God’s love it will naturally (shall I say ‘supernaturally’) flow from you to others.

If you do know God’s love, take a moment to thank Him for it.  Take a moment just to breathe it in.  To feel God’s love fill your entire being.  As you do, your focus will change.  All of a sudden you will be overwhelmed by God's love.  Smothered.  Consumed.  The result will be that His love will flow out to others around you.  Family.  Friends.  Neighbors.  Co-workers.  Even enemies.  In so doing, their lives will be touched.  Affected.  Changed.  This is the awesome power of love.  Love that comes from the heart of an awesome God! 

Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you for Your great love.  Love that has invaded my life.  Life that has transformed me.  And which continues to do so.  Love that is so amazing I can’t comprehend it.  I can’t live without.  I can’t keep to myself.  Help me to live in Your love daily.  And to be a conduit of Your love to the world around me.  In Jesus' name, Amen.