Matthew 25:40
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
40The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
I was introduced to a new perspective this morning... I am not sure why it had to be new to me, but it was. In the awesome grace that exists within our God, He reveals things to us. He does this according to our need, and our abilities at the time.
The above passage from Matthew was part of the reading in our small group study this morning, and is a verse that we pretty much are all used to. It, like so much of the Bible, has (sadly) become mundane. What made it new for me this morning was a question posed by another member of our men's class. To paraphrase, who is included in the "least of these"? That question was followed by the one that has now changed my perspective... continuing to paraphrase, he said, wouldn't that include ALL people, at least from the perspective of Christ?
I was not immediately blown away by this, because I was not in that place at the time. But this exchange of ideas began working in me at that moment, and throughout our worship and service... Now sitting at home, I am astounded by the thought...
From the perspective of Jesus (the perspective we should be viewing and living our lives), ALL people are the least of these. For many of us, we think of the needy, the downtrodden, and so on as being only the financially poor. But are we all not lacking in some way? At some point in our lives we were all (and many still are) morally and spiritually bankrupt. Our society is filled with financial wellness, yet we lack simple compassion and respect for each other. What Jesus is trying to get us to realize is that our interactions with each other, and our relationships we build are foundational to living a Christ-focused life.
Yes, it is of huge importance how we serve and help those who are in some way, shape, or form less fortunate than ourselves... but it is also of supreme importance how we serve those who are not. We should strive to look past the first glance and understand that everyone, no matter who they are, has a need... we should be seeking a way to assist that need.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
John taught me something today
It's amazing to me, maybe it shouldn't be, but it is... Its amazing to me how God works through His word. A brief study this morning in John 14 helped me understand more clearly today the idea of the transforming power of Christ's love.
I never before understood, as I feel I do in this moment, how crucial the conversion moment in our lives is.it is the single point in time at which our spirit might be closest to that which Jesus asks of us... In that moment we are choosing to accept, in full faith, the saving grace of God.
In John 14 we see Christ instructing the wise men on who truly loves God. He explains that it is those who follow His commands that truly live Him. We can extend that out knowing that we are truly the hypocrites that society believes we often are. I don't always obey the commands of God, and yet, I say I love Him? It makes me, on the surface, appear no different than the list world.
So, how do I improve on following the commands of God? I have to look back at the moment in my life that I truly demonstrated that I believed there was nothing more important in life than my personal relationship with Christ. In that moment, that's all that mattered. When we struggle with the things of this world, we are called to focus on Christ. To do so is to remember the emptiness of life before Christ, and to find again that strength and boldness to move to Him.
We must never forget the feeling in our soul at the moment we first believed...it is through the love of Christ and by His grace that we can go through this life and know that it is a mere speck on the face of an eternity spent in a world that has never known sin.
I never before understood, as I feel I do in this moment, how crucial the conversion moment in our lives is.it is the single point in time at which our spirit might be closest to that which Jesus asks of us... In that moment we are choosing to accept, in full faith, the saving grace of God.
In John 14 we see Christ instructing the wise men on who truly loves God. He explains that it is those who follow His commands that truly live Him. We can extend that out knowing that we are truly the hypocrites that society believes we often are. I don't always obey the commands of God, and yet, I say I love Him? It makes me, on the surface, appear no different than the list world.
So, how do I improve on following the commands of God? I have to look back at the moment in my life that I truly demonstrated that I believed there was nothing more important in life than my personal relationship with Christ. In that moment, that's all that mattered. When we struggle with the things of this world, we are called to focus on Christ. To do so is to remember the emptiness of life before Christ, and to find again that strength and boldness to move to Him.
We must never forget the feeling in our soul at the moment we first believed...it is through the love of Christ and by His grace that we can go through this life and know that it is a mere speck on the face of an eternity spent in a world that has never known sin.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New year, new opportunity
So, as I wave goodbye to what was far and away the most difficult year of my life, I look to this new year and am expectant that it too will be full of difficult times. Truth is, every year is difficult. Sometimes difficulties arise because of what we determine are good times, sometimes because of what we deem as bad times. I have spent the past 6 months stuck on and dwelling in a "bad" place. I often lose sight of the fact that my mother's passing was not a bad thing. It is true that I wish she were still here with me, and it is also true that I wish that her healing would have taken place on this earth. Ultimately though, God chose to take her home and complete her ultimate healing with her fully in His presence... How can that be a bad thing?
I say this to say that this year, just like every year will be filled with trials and temptations. That is all we can be sure of, and it is our attitude and response in those situations that determine their worth to us. I rarely make new years resolutions... But this upcoming year I hope to be better in the midst of all things at looking to God. I want to do a better job at making God my priority and allowing everything else fall where they should, according to His will. To this end, I plan to take advice from those smarter than I. I plan to, intentionally, seek God everyday. It is now in my daily schedule to spend time with God...
By intentionally and actively seeking God, this year will be different.
I say this to say that this year, just like every year will be filled with trials and temptations. That is all we can be sure of, and it is our attitude and response in those situations that determine their worth to us. I rarely make new years resolutions... But this upcoming year I hope to be better in the midst of all things at looking to God. I want to do a better job at making God my priority and allowing everything else fall where they should, according to His will. To this end, I plan to take advice from those smarter than I. I plan to, intentionally, seek God everyday. It is now in my daily schedule to spend time with God...
By intentionally and actively seeking God, this year will be different.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday morning conviction- 12/11/11
This morning's message was an absolute punch in the heart... as we continued through our series on James, we began talking about temptation. Specifically we talked about being able to recognize the pathway from temptation, to desire, to sin.
It hit me as we explored this pathway that there has been an issue in my life recently that if I didn't stop to recognize, I would be leaving myself wide open and available to full attack from Satan. In light of that, I know that where my relationship with God has been lately, that there was very little chance that I would be fully able to resist the potential desires present. I hate to believe that I could become susceptible to certain sins, but I have to admit that I am human. I have to be real and honest enough to say that I am capable of committing any and all sins. It worries me that I was so blindly walking down such a potentially hazardous route. But that is how Satan often operates. Satan managed to intertwine himself into an area of my life that I know is important, and an area in which God has called me to work. But as Satan does, he twists, ever-so slightly in our minds, the will of God. At moments when I came to realizing that I might be allowing temptation to push me in the wrong direction, I found myself justifying it using the excuse of God's will. How frightening is it to realize that!?
I need to thank God that He always gives us an escape from temptation. I also need to thank my wife who brought to my attention over the past week, that she was worried that I might be headed down a bad path. I sadly blew her off at first, blinded by my own pride and desires. I see now that she was right on the money. I am thankful that her warning, and today's message both came at the point of time that I have not done anything regretful, or hurtful. But, the gut check does allow me to step back and re-evaluate my place in the situation and how to turn it back to how God intends that situation to be.
I hope anyone reading this has someone in their lives who has the courage and love for them that my wife has. I can't imagine it was easy for her to confront me. But my walk with God, and being the man that I need to be, is so important to her that she knew she had to step in. She is an amazing woman, and I am thankful that she said what she had to. If you do not have that person in your life, I suggest you seek one out. After my relationship to God, my relationship with her is most important.
It hit me as we explored this pathway that there has been an issue in my life recently that if I didn't stop to recognize, I would be leaving myself wide open and available to full attack from Satan. In light of that, I know that where my relationship with God has been lately, that there was very little chance that I would be fully able to resist the potential desires present. I hate to believe that I could become susceptible to certain sins, but I have to admit that I am human. I have to be real and honest enough to say that I am capable of committing any and all sins. It worries me that I was so blindly walking down such a potentially hazardous route. But that is how Satan often operates. Satan managed to intertwine himself into an area of my life that I know is important, and an area in which God has called me to work. But as Satan does, he twists, ever-so slightly in our minds, the will of God. At moments when I came to realizing that I might be allowing temptation to push me in the wrong direction, I found myself justifying it using the excuse of God's will. How frightening is it to realize that!?
I need to thank God that He always gives us an escape from temptation. I also need to thank my wife who brought to my attention over the past week, that she was worried that I might be headed down a bad path. I sadly blew her off at first, blinded by my own pride and desires. I see now that she was right on the money. I am thankful that her warning, and today's message both came at the point of time that I have not done anything regretful, or hurtful. But, the gut check does allow me to step back and re-evaluate my place in the situation and how to turn it back to how God intends that situation to be.
I hope anyone reading this has someone in their lives who has the courage and love for them that my wife has. I can't imagine it was easy for her to confront me. But my walk with God, and being the man that I need to be, is so important to her that she knew she had to step in. She is an amazing woman, and I am thankful that she said what she had to. If you do not have that person in your life, I suggest you seek one out. After my relationship to God, my relationship with her is most important.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Little drummer
I hope to, sometime in the near future do a series of posts looking at the many misunderstood ideas, words, etc of Christianity. These will hopefully take a closer look at things like grace, love, joy, meekness, and other such things that have been so misrepresented by both the secular and religious worlds. I am really looking forward to these posts, but thats not what I have for today... I thought it was, but then as I was driving home just now, I was listening to Christmas music, and it really smacked me... my pride is trying to creep back into control of my life.
I hate it when my pride does this, but I also acknowledge that my ego is a formidable beast and will often need strong efforts to keep it at bay. I have been bombarded recently with acts that have stroked said ego. I have also sat front row to some impressive displays of pride from others. As with so many other things in life, its is easiest to despise the characteristic found in another that you most despise within yourself... so what does this have to do with Christmas music?
The little drummer boy, thats what... he totally gets it. He understands the idea of missional living and humble service to his King. The line that truly struck me (I'll refrain from adding the pah-rump-a-pum-pums, but feel free to sing them to yourselves) "I have no gift to bring... that is fit to give a King... Shall I play for you... on my drum?"
He gets it! We have nothing, not one thing, that even begins to crest into the realm of a gift that is fit to give to Christ. We have nothing outside of Jesus, Himself. So, what should we give to Him? Whatever we've got, and all of it! Give completely of ourselves, humbly and completely, to the One who gave it all... realize that it is only by His grace that we have anything! Stop feeling like we are entitled anything... God owes us nothing, yet gives us everything... when we feel like we have been shorted by God, we are slapping the death of Christ right in the face. We are entitled nothing, yet we expect more... I feel I deserve something more than I have... when will I realize that I have all I will ever need?
The drummer boy got it, and he laid it down for Christ... and the baby Prince smiled. When was the last time I made my Lord and Savior smile?
I hate it when my pride does this, but I also acknowledge that my ego is a formidable beast and will often need strong efforts to keep it at bay. I have been bombarded recently with acts that have stroked said ego. I have also sat front row to some impressive displays of pride from others. As with so many other things in life, its is easiest to despise the characteristic found in another that you most despise within yourself... so what does this have to do with Christmas music?
The little drummer boy, thats what... he totally gets it. He understands the idea of missional living and humble service to his King. The line that truly struck me (I'll refrain from adding the pah-rump-a-pum-pums, but feel free to sing them to yourselves) "I have no gift to bring... that is fit to give a King... Shall I play for you... on my drum?"
He gets it! We have nothing, not one thing, that even begins to crest into the realm of a gift that is fit to give to Christ. We have nothing outside of Jesus, Himself. So, what should we give to Him? Whatever we've got, and all of it! Give completely of ourselves, humbly and completely, to the One who gave it all... realize that it is only by His grace that we have anything! Stop feeling like we are entitled anything... God owes us nothing, yet gives us everything... when we feel like we have been shorted by God, we are slapping the death of Christ right in the face. We are entitled nothing, yet we expect more... I feel I deserve something more than I have... when will I realize that I have all I will ever need?
The drummer boy got it, and he laid it down for Christ... and the baby Prince smiled. When was the last time I made my Lord and Savior smile?
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Little late Thanksgiving
I had every intention of writing an obligatory Thanksgiving post, but, as one can easily tell, I failed... nothing too new or surprising on that account, but still. So, slightly late, here is an obligatory Thanksgiving post:
First and foremost this year, as cliche as it is to say, I am thankful for a personal relationship with Christ. Moreso than even that, I am thankful that I know what that phrase means. I do not merely proclaim Christianity because I am a white anglo-saxon protestant descended American, but I proclaim it because I have been redemed by a Savior who saught me out and called me to Him.
I am thankful for a wife that is so much my other half that it is hard to picture how I would survive without her. I have learned over the past year a new level of appreciation for the love and support she offers to me, no matter where I am. This year has been a trial of never-before-seen proportion for me. The incredible stress of losing my mother as well as all of the other things going on in my life, and my wife was right there through it all. My wife makes me a better person.
I am thankful for my daughter; truly the light of my world. Her enthusiasm over things as simple as a morning hug, and her unwaivering love for her mom and I are outstanding testaments to the love of God. She makes me a better person as well, I must live in a way that I would want her to emulate. She makes me want the world to be a better place.
I am thankful that my mother is healed. She is no longer sick, and cancer has no more hold over her. My mother was the only person on this earth that always knew and understood what I was saying, where my head was, and how to break me down. She could defuse my ego, and boost my self-esteem at the same time. She was given the gift that so many of would wish we could have; she was able to say when she was ready to pass from this life. She got to say where, and when. I am thankful that God answered a prayer I made when I first learned of her illness that she be healed in a beautiful and miraculous way that would be so evident of His grace. I miss her dearly, but I am comforted by the knowledge that in death she has not once worried about anything, and she never will again.
I am thankful for an earthly father that is so full of grace and intense passion. I can't say enough for this man; watching him through the past 4 years has taught me more about love, true, unbridled, and fierce love, than anything I have ever seen on this earth. I am so much the man I am because my Dad is the man he is. He worked 100 hour weeks, yet still had time to coach, practice, and watch me. He never made us feel second to his company.
I am thankful for my sisters, who help to keep me well grounded. They are both beautiful people, and deserve all they get in life.
Thats it in a nutshell... hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
First and foremost this year, as cliche as it is to say, I am thankful for a personal relationship with Christ. Moreso than even that, I am thankful that I know what that phrase means. I do not merely proclaim Christianity because I am a white anglo-saxon protestant descended American, but I proclaim it because I have been redemed by a Savior who saught me out and called me to Him.
I am thankful for a wife that is so much my other half that it is hard to picture how I would survive without her. I have learned over the past year a new level of appreciation for the love and support she offers to me, no matter where I am. This year has been a trial of never-before-seen proportion for me. The incredible stress of losing my mother as well as all of the other things going on in my life, and my wife was right there through it all. My wife makes me a better person.
I am thankful for my daughter; truly the light of my world. Her enthusiasm over things as simple as a morning hug, and her unwaivering love for her mom and I are outstanding testaments to the love of God. She makes me a better person as well, I must live in a way that I would want her to emulate. She makes me want the world to be a better place.
I am thankful that my mother is healed. She is no longer sick, and cancer has no more hold over her. My mother was the only person on this earth that always knew and understood what I was saying, where my head was, and how to break me down. She could defuse my ego, and boost my self-esteem at the same time. She was given the gift that so many of would wish we could have; she was able to say when she was ready to pass from this life. She got to say where, and when. I am thankful that God answered a prayer I made when I first learned of her illness that she be healed in a beautiful and miraculous way that would be so evident of His grace. I miss her dearly, but I am comforted by the knowledge that in death she has not once worried about anything, and she never will again.
I am thankful for an earthly father that is so full of grace and intense passion. I can't say enough for this man; watching him through the past 4 years has taught me more about love, true, unbridled, and fierce love, than anything I have ever seen on this earth. I am so much the man I am because my Dad is the man he is. He worked 100 hour weeks, yet still had time to coach, practice, and watch me. He never made us feel second to his company.
I am thankful for my sisters, who help to keep me well grounded. They are both beautiful people, and deserve all they get in life.
Thats it in a nutshell... hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Easier said than done
"And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain... And then as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know he lives"
As we were singing these lyrics this past Sunday, I had to take a moment to reflect... to look back and smile, and well up at the same time. I have tried so many times in the past 4 months to put words together to help explain the way I felt as I watched my mom pass away. It has been so difficult to not have her here, to not have her around so that I know that at least someone understands the ridiculous joke I just told, or whatever... Those words have continued to escape me, but as I truly look at her passing and as I remove myself from the situation, and allow myself to be simply an observer of the human condition, I am reminded of one thing.
At the moment of my mom's passing,there was a look of peace and contentment on her face. I remember at the time thinking it looked as though there was a smile on her face... my mother's smile is something I will never forget, it was such a piece of her, and tying it to these lyrics, I can only imagine what she saw at this moment in her life. She had truly waged war against pain, and she had allowed death to give way to victory... her faith became sight. She saw firsthand the truly incomprehensible majesty of Heaven.
God is greater than whatever battle you are facing, and victory over all trials can only truly be found in Him. We must only remember that it is not up to us to define victory, or to place the definition of a miracle into a box. We cannot allow ourselves to believe that God has failed us simply because the outcome of something in our lives is not what we wanted... we should desire His will in all situations. Easier said than done
As we were singing these lyrics this past Sunday, I had to take a moment to reflect... to look back and smile, and well up at the same time. I have tried so many times in the past 4 months to put words together to help explain the way I felt as I watched my mom pass away. It has been so difficult to not have her here, to not have her around so that I know that at least someone understands the ridiculous joke I just told, or whatever... Those words have continued to escape me, but as I truly look at her passing and as I remove myself from the situation, and allow myself to be simply an observer of the human condition, I am reminded of one thing.
At the moment of my mom's passing,there was a look of peace and contentment on her face. I remember at the time thinking it looked as though there was a smile on her face... my mother's smile is something I will never forget, it was such a piece of her, and tying it to these lyrics, I can only imagine what she saw at this moment in her life. She had truly waged war against pain, and she had allowed death to give way to victory... her faith became sight. She saw firsthand the truly incomprehensible majesty of Heaven.
God is greater than whatever battle you are facing, and victory over all trials can only truly be found in Him. We must only remember that it is not up to us to define victory, or to place the definition of a miracle into a box. We cannot allow ourselves to believe that God has failed us simply because the outcome of something in our lives is not what we wanted... we should desire His will in all situations. Easier said than done
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