Tonight I wanted to talk about Baptism. The subject has been prevalent as we've been reading Acts and honestly, I've always had questions on it. So I dug deeper. What I found: as a FOLLOWER of Jesus (remember this is different than just being a BELIEVER), you should WANT to be baptized. Why (there we go again with our theological questions)? Well for one, Jesus was baptized, and we are to follow His example. Secondly, that great commission we always talk about, our purpose, some of the most important (I believe) words Jesus ever spoke to us (probably because its the last thing He said before He ascended into Heaven) is: "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations; BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Thirdly, baptism symbolizes best the gospel in our lives: that we die to self, and rise to a new life in Jesus.
In Acts we keep hearing about the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Jesus. Many people that the disciples came across haden't yet heard of Baptism in Jesus' name, so they'd teach them and Baptize them. The disciples gave them Godly truth and wisdom (what we prayed for this morning). I told you that when I first came to Memorial Baptist Church, Craig gave me Godly wisdom and truth and said that as a follower of Jesus I should be Baptized. I even hate saying it like that; those weren't his words exactly. But as followers of Jesus we should WANT to be baptized. It hasn't even been two years since I was Baptized. Am I happy I did it? Absolutely! I want to be obedient to God's path, and I was proud to make that public confession of my faith and to make that vow to God.
The difference between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus, was that John's was with water and was a baptism of repentance and Jesus' is with the Holy Spirit and is a baptism of salvation (see 1 Peter 3:20). God has saved people twice with water. First He saved them by providing an Arc for them, and then He saved them by providing Jesus for them. Jesus is our Arc! When those 8 people climbed into the Arc, that was their confession that they wanted to be obedient to God and to repent from sin. When we go under the water, that is our confession that we want to be obedient to God and to repent from sin. Remember in weeks past we talked about repenting and how when you make Jesus Lord (or Master) of your life, you are NOT saying that you just hate the punishment for sin and want His salvation from that, you are saying that you hate sin itself, you want to turn from it, and turn toward Jesus to follow Him. Repenting means you want to be more like Jesus, pure and Holy. Guess who you need to help you with that? Ding ding ding! The Holy Spirit (whom you are Baptized with).
Honestly do I think you need to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit? No. I believe I received this Counselor the day that I first decided to follow Jesus (or perhaps sooner, I just wasn't listening and obeying). Really, why do you need the Holy Spirit if you just want Jesus as your magic jinni on judgment day? If you just want Jesus to walk with YOU (until the end), you don't need the Holy Spirit to tell you how to do that, just listen to Satan. But if you want to repent from your sins (make a 180 degree turn) to follow Jesus, walking with HIM, you'll need the Holy Spirit as your ever-present Helper
If Jesus was baptized, told us to be baptized, AND to baptize others, I'm not going to ask any questions. In Acts 2 when Peter makes his first sermon to the Jews, they are "cut to the heart" and ask him what they can do (remember they just killed the Messiah). He tells them to repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy spirit. They didn't question this Godly truth and wisdom! They were more than happy to comply, and were absolutely ecstatic to have forgiveness (from the Father), salvation (through the Son), and a Counselor (with the Holy Spirit). Just like I'm not going to question why God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us, I'm not going to question that we are to be Baptized in his Son's name. Instead I will thank Him for such a priceless gift and opportunity to be buried or dead to self and risen or alive with Christ.
When Jesus was baptized (by John ;o) the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a white dove and the Father said, "this is my Son whom I love, with Him I am well pleased". Did this happen when I was Baptized? Of course not, I'm not God's Son. In fact I don't even remember feeling that different, just cold! But I do know God was well pleased. He wants all His children to make that public confession of faith in His Son Jesus and to make that promise to Him that with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will follow Jesus.
Following Jesus entails being baptized. He was and said, "whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16). Again, do I think you have to be baptized to be saved? No. Look at the thief on the cross; Jesus told him, "I will see you in paradise today", and he obviously couldn't be baptized while hanging on a cross. This question again goes back to our questioning God (told you we are like the Athenians). In the history of Acts, people accepted the Gospel message and were baptized, no questions asked. Back then, Christians were assumed to be baptized. Today, you never know. Look at me: I was just baptized two summers ago and have been a follower for almost 10 years! I am proud that our church sees baptism as important. In some churches you are just told to raise your hand, pray a prayer, or walk an isle. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that to become a follower of Jesus you must do these things, but the Bible does tell us to be baptized AND to baptize others.
If you've been a believer of Christ for a long time and finally want to repent and follow Him, be baptized! Even if you are already following Him and have been filled with the Holy Spirit, be baptized. It's not too late. Don't be embarrassed! I was, because as a youth leader, I was ashamed that I hadn't been baptized yet. But what I realized is this: as believers of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, we were chosen by Him before we were even a fragment in our mother's wombs. As we are given Godly truth and wisdom throughout our lifetimes, we can either accept it and follow it, or we can reject it and turn from it. Craig was my mentor who gave me Godly truth and wisdom and I followed it, and now as your mentor, my hope is that you will take this Godly truth and wisdom and likewise be baptized if you haven't already. Being baptized basically states publically and before God that you belong to Jesus. Do you? If you have doubts, honestly answer these 4 questions?
Do you believe that God is GREAT? (so great that you would sell everything you have to buy the field that this treasure lies in? so great that you would leave everything you have to follow Jesus?)
Do you believe that God's way of living is BEST? (you hate the penalty for sin AND sin itself? you don't want sin in your life?)
Do you want to be in love with God? (to intimately know and have a lasting and eternal relationship with Him? to put Him first in your life?)
AND
Do you want a power in your life to help you live on God's path of righteousness? (and to encourage others to do the same?)
If so, then REPENT, BE BAPTIZED, and BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Our God Protects
Although I had planned to talk about something else today, God had other plans ;o) (Thy will be done right?) This morning while my day had been running ever so smoothly, I got into a car accident. Although I'm not thankful that my car's probably totaled, I do have a lot to be thankful for. While praying at lunch today, my husband thanked God for watching over us. Yes God is watching over us all the time, but sometimes it takes an ounce of the Devil's poison to see God's protection. The driver who crashed into me hit the left side of my vehicle, but the impact was taken from my front tire...not from my daughter or I. Ethan and the other driver were also okay, although his air bag went off. Mine didn't, which probably saved the life of our unborn child. My husband who was, again by the grace of God, home from work today, was strong for me at the scene of the accident so I didn't have to be. And my daughter, also a grace spreader, kept reminding me that it was just an accident. I was the only one who cried today. My tears were not of pain or even loss (although I will miss cherry bomb...our car), but tears of joy: because I have two children who love me, a baby thriving inside of me, a husband who is my strong tower, and a God who protects me.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Live Guilt-free and in Control today
Why do we over-indulge in sin? Lying, cheating, sex, drugs, alcohol, judging others, cursing, etc. This week, I was the eye-witness to my two and three year old both hurling books off a 6 foot lofted bed AND "secretly" eating over 15 Hershey's kisses in less than 5 minutes!
All I can recall at this point is the look of feeling out of control and guilt on their faces. The crazy part is, these emotions don't change as we get older. It started from the first sin: when Adam and Eve were frantically trying to cover their nakedness from each other and hiding from God. And this feeling of no control and guilt will last until the last sin.
Did I used to experience these emotions? ABSOLUTELY...all the time. Do I still sin? EVERYDAY. But the difference is now I don't feel out of control and guilty. I now know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Also, I know If I confess my sins to God, ask for His forgiveness and repent and turn from that sin toward Jesus, God doesn't want me wasting any time feeling guilty. Instead He wants me to feel His love, forgiveness, peace, and hope, so I too can pass these on to those around me.
Don't waste another minute feeling guilty or out of control with sin in your life. Accept Jesus and allow Him to wash you clean and start again. His mercies are new everyday!
All I can recall at this point is the look of feeling out of control and guilt on their faces. The crazy part is, these emotions don't change as we get older. It started from the first sin: when Adam and Eve were frantically trying to cover their nakedness from each other and hiding from God. And this feeling of no control and guilt will last until the last sin.
Did I used to experience these emotions? ABSOLUTELY...all the time. Do I still sin? EVERYDAY. But the difference is now I don't feel out of control and guilty. I now know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Also, I know If I confess my sins to God, ask for His forgiveness and repent and turn from that sin toward Jesus, God doesn't want me wasting any time feeling guilty. Instead He wants me to feel His love, forgiveness, peace, and hope, so I too can pass these on to those around me.
Don't waste another minute feeling guilty or out of control with sin in your life. Accept Jesus and allow Him to wash you clean and start again. His mercies are new everyday!
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Athens or America?
Acts 17
After looking at three dramatically different towns in this chapter: Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and their response to Paul's presentation of the Gospel, we were asked which city most closely resembles ours?
The Thessalonians were violent, the Bereans wise and faithful, and the Athenians violent, wise and faithful, as well as contemplative. In my mind, our town, our nation even, reminds me most of Athens. People here either reject the Good News, few are convicted and faithfully follow Jesus, and MANY are sitting on the fence.
It's CRAZY how history repeats itself. Take a look at Athens; it had its Glory Days, if you will, where it was the leader in Philosophy, Arts, and Literature. With one of the top universities in its time, people there valued knowledge and education, although not necessarily the Godly truth and Wisdom, that Paul presented them with. As Luke states in Acts 17: 21 "All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas." No wonder why they thought Paul was a "blabber" or a know it all. Everyone and their neighbor had their own opinions about life. And Americans do too. We're always up for trying the latest craze in fashion, dieting, and technology. Skinny jeans, the paleo diet, and iphones. We're constantly seeking to find that last "piece" to complete the puzzle of our lives. A void we all feel no matter how "perfect" we think our lives are. A void that can only be filled by a relationship with our Creator God: our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus, our Counselor the Holy Spirit.
One prominent philosophy in Athens was that life is all about happiness. What? Are your sure you're not talking about America instead of Athens? Look at divorce rates today. "I wasn't happy anymore" she said. Well let me ask you this? Whatever happened to "unto death do us part" and "for better or for worse"? Most people make these vows to each other AND to God on the day they say "I do" but they quickly seem to go out the window when we're not "happy" anymore.
Another widely held philosophy in Athens was that life is all about living in tune with nature. In America right now the EPA is trying to shut down all the coal-fired power plants. We Americans (not the Asian or Middle Easter countries) bow down to mother earth and ride round and round on the energy crisis marry go round, trying and re-trying resourses. Well guess what America? The wind doesn't always blow (even in Wheatland!) and the sun doesn't always shine! God gave us coal for a reason...just burn it already.
People in Athens also found value in recognizing their own self-sufficiency and independence. Pick up any business or self-help magazine today and see these popular words in headlines pop up over and over: Independent, Rich, Famous, Control, Free, etc. Our culture teaches us not to depend on anything and especially not on anyone. Every man for himself is our motto. Your possessions, money, career, and talents are all self acquired. Really? Where did we come from in the first place? Who created us? And don't say the big bang and natural-selection. Surely someone has to be doing the banging and the selecting. Bottom line: we're not self-sufficient or independent. God gives us everything we have and He created us to be dependent on Him.
Athenians were religious and worshipped many gods, even an unknown god (a catch-all if they missed one). We Americans are religious and worship many gods. We worship the god of self everyday when we sacrifice thousands of unborn children. We worship money by spending more time working than we do with our families. We worship technology by spending more time on facebook than we do with God. We worship athletes, celebrities, and knowledge. We worship sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. But even with all these ever so time-consuming and ill-focused idols of our lives we still possess that void I talked about earlier. Praise the Lord "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:26-27). God made us with this void and He planned out each one of our lives so perfectly that we all have the opportunity to seek Him and find Him. And when we find Him, we realize we don't need all these other idols in our lives. We just need God. He's the One and the Only, and through Jesus, who lives again, we can have an eternal and full-filling relationship with God.
So how do we share the Good News about Jesus with Americans? Well for starters we can follow Paul's example and connect with them. Admire their religious behavior and their desire to find the missing piece to the puzzle of life. Tell them what that missing piece is. If they reject the Gospel, keep planting seeds. If they accept and believe, teach them how to follow Jesus. If they're sitting on the fence, let them know the time is near and blessings can be received today. I believe the old woman in God's Not Dead says it best when she compares the average American life to living in a comfortable prison cell. Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVi0kEJT6rQ
After looking at three dramatically different towns in this chapter: Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and their response to Paul's presentation of the Gospel, we were asked which city most closely resembles ours?
The Thessalonians were violent, the Bereans wise and faithful, and the Athenians violent, wise and faithful, as well as contemplative. In my mind, our town, our nation even, reminds me most of Athens. People here either reject the Good News, few are convicted and faithfully follow Jesus, and MANY are sitting on the fence.
It's CRAZY how history repeats itself. Take a look at Athens; it had its Glory Days, if you will, where it was the leader in Philosophy, Arts, and Literature. With one of the top universities in its time, people there valued knowledge and education, although not necessarily the Godly truth and Wisdom, that Paul presented them with. As Luke states in Acts 17: 21 "All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas." No wonder why they thought Paul was a "blabber" or a know it all. Everyone and their neighbor had their own opinions about life. And Americans do too. We're always up for trying the latest craze in fashion, dieting, and technology. Skinny jeans, the paleo diet, and iphones. We're constantly seeking to find that last "piece" to complete the puzzle of our lives. A void we all feel no matter how "perfect" we think our lives are. A void that can only be filled by a relationship with our Creator God: our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus, our Counselor the Holy Spirit.
One prominent philosophy in Athens was that life is all about happiness. What? Are your sure you're not talking about America instead of Athens? Look at divorce rates today. "I wasn't happy anymore" she said. Well let me ask you this? Whatever happened to "unto death do us part" and "for better or for worse"? Most people make these vows to each other AND to God on the day they say "I do" but they quickly seem to go out the window when we're not "happy" anymore.
Another widely held philosophy in Athens was that life is all about living in tune with nature. In America right now the EPA is trying to shut down all the coal-fired power plants. We Americans (not the Asian or Middle Easter countries) bow down to mother earth and ride round and round on the energy crisis marry go round, trying and re-trying resourses. Well guess what America? The wind doesn't always blow (even in Wheatland!) and the sun doesn't always shine! God gave us coal for a reason...just burn it already.
People in Athens also found value in recognizing their own self-sufficiency and independence. Pick up any business or self-help magazine today and see these popular words in headlines pop up over and over: Independent, Rich, Famous, Control, Free, etc. Our culture teaches us not to depend on anything and especially not on anyone. Every man for himself is our motto. Your possessions, money, career, and talents are all self acquired. Really? Where did we come from in the first place? Who created us? And don't say the big bang and natural-selection. Surely someone has to be doing the banging and the selecting. Bottom line: we're not self-sufficient or independent. God gives us everything we have and He created us to be dependent on Him.
Athenians were religious and worshipped many gods, even an unknown god (a catch-all if they missed one). We Americans are religious and worship many gods. We worship the god of self everyday when we sacrifice thousands of unborn children. We worship money by spending more time working than we do with our families. We worship technology by spending more time on facebook than we do with God. We worship athletes, celebrities, and knowledge. We worship sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. But even with all these ever so time-consuming and ill-focused idols of our lives we still possess that void I talked about earlier. Praise the Lord "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:26-27). God made us with this void and He planned out each one of our lives so perfectly that we all have the opportunity to seek Him and find Him. And when we find Him, we realize we don't need all these other idols in our lives. We just need God. He's the One and the Only, and through Jesus, who lives again, we can have an eternal and full-filling relationship with God.
So how do we share the Good News about Jesus with Americans? Well for starters we can follow Paul's example and connect with them. Admire their religious behavior and their desire to find the missing piece to the puzzle of life. Tell them what that missing piece is. If they reject the Gospel, keep planting seeds. If they accept and believe, teach them how to follow Jesus. If they're sitting on the fence, let them know the time is near and blessings can be received today. I believe the old woman in God's Not Dead says it best when she compares the average American life to living in a comfortable prison cell. Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVi0kEJT6rQ
Longevity
Sometimes I get the impression that because lifespans in the Bible are longer than ours, often by A LOT, skeptics think the Bible is fictional and unrealistic. Although I'm not God, I do know that "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16.
So is it true that the first man ever created (Adam) lived to be 950? Absolutely. Was the oldest man (Methusala) 969? Yes. Why? Well when you consider that God actually created man to live forever, 969 actually seems quite short. But when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil they sinned against God. From that moment on not only do "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 6:23, but "the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23.
Before the flood people lived longer, but after the flood lifespans shortened exponentially. When sin got so bad that only Noah and his family were God-fearing, the gene pool became very small with only 8 people alive after the flood. Geneticists suggest that the gene for longevity was lost at that time. Also, it's suggested that the earth's environment changed after the flood possibly causing a harder life and a shorter lifespan.
The bottom line is we all die. But if you accept Jesus Christ as God's Son who came to live as an example for us and died for our sins so that we may be forgiven and received as righteous in the eyes of God the Father, you may die physically, but not spiritually. Your spirit will go on to live forever with God...now that's longevity!
So is it true that the first man ever created (Adam) lived to be 950? Absolutely. Was the oldest man (Methusala) 969? Yes. Why? Well when you consider that God actually created man to live forever, 969 actually seems quite short. But when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil they sinned against God. From that moment on not only do "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 6:23, but "the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23.
Before the flood people lived longer, but after the flood lifespans shortened exponentially. When sin got so bad that only Noah and his family were God-fearing, the gene pool became very small with only 8 people alive after the flood. Geneticists suggest that the gene for longevity was lost at that time. Also, it's suggested that the earth's environment changed after the flood possibly causing a harder life and a shorter lifespan.
The bottom line is we all die. But if you accept Jesus Christ as God's Son who came to live as an example for us and died for our sins so that we may be forgiven and received as righteous in the eyes of God the Father, you may die physically, but not spiritually. Your spirit will go on to live forever with God...now that's longevity!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Choose your destiny
As I sat waiting Monday morning to see my Dr. for over an hour, I realized how grateful I am to God for the gift of freewill and of choice. Instead of being told to wait that morning, I would have appreciated the choice to either reschedule or to wait to see my doctor.
But God didn't have to give us freewill either. He could have made us all like robots who just do what He says. Instead God gave us the choice to choose right, to choose love, to choose Him. Because it would all be meaningless without our choice in the matter.
The good news is, when we do choose right and to love God (I don't know maybe just because He's the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present creator of the entire universe!), we truly realize how much He loves us! So much that He allowed His one and only Son Jesus to be sacrificed on the cross for our sins--our wrong choices.
And when we choose to receive Jesus' free gift of forgiveness and salvation from our sin and death, God ultimately gave us the choice to choose our own destiny: heaven or hell, with God or without God, for all eternity!
Thank you God for such a priceless and indescribable choice and more than anything, thank you for choosing to love us first. For "we love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19.
But God didn't have to give us freewill either. He could have made us all like robots who just do what He says. Instead God gave us the choice to choose right, to choose love, to choose Him. Because it would all be meaningless without our choice in the matter.
The good news is, when we do choose right and to love God (I don't know maybe just because He's the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present creator of the entire universe!), we truly realize how much He loves us! So much that He allowed His one and only Son Jesus to be sacrificed on the cross for our sins--our wrong choices.
And when we choose to receive Jesus' free gift of forgiveness and salvation from our sin and death, God ultimately gave us the choice to choose our own destiny: heaven or hell, with God or without God, for all eternity!
Thank you God for such a priceless and indescribable choice and more than anything, thank you for choosing to love us first. For "we love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
He will direct your paths
Acts 16
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
How very comforting and true! It was for Paul and it is for me. We talked this morning about the start of Paul's second missionary journey and how God without a doubt directed Paul's path. Seriously, have you ever looked at the disciple's missionary journey's and wondered how in the world they chose the places and paths they chose? If you take a look specifically at Acts 16, one can see the Holy Spirit at work on their journey. Starting from the get go, because Paul went separate ways from Barnabas and John Mark, he and Silas were able to have Timothy come on board in helping with their ministry. Remember: new doors can't open unless old ones close. Also, Paul had plans of going to Asia, but twice in this passage, the Holy Spirit in whatever way (weather, war, wrong turn, etc. etc.) let them know they weren't supposed to go there. Instead of wasting their time and energy trying, they TRUSTED the Lord and leaned not on their own understanding. With his focus still in check (on God), Paul was able to see a vision of Macedonia. He ACKNOWLEDGED GOD and took this as God was DIRECTING his path to Macedonia. Although there wasn't a synagogue to preach at in Philippi (because there were too few Jews in that area), he was able to convert and baptize Lydia and her family (gentiles) down at the place of prayer by the river. What could have been seen as another negative, their being harassed by a possessed slave, flogged, beaten, and thrown into a prison, also had a positive ending: the jailer and his family were converted and baptized during their imprisonment.
Inevitably it's obvious and almost easy to see God directing the paths of Jesus' disciples, but remember, as a follower of Jesus Christ, we're disciples too! Can you see God directing your path? I sure can...
From MN, I was told by my parents that I wasn't allowed to go to college within the state or within any of the surrounding states for that matter. Really they just didn't want me marrying my H.S. boyfriend (door closes). Stubborn me didn't want to go to college where my brother and sister went at UW, Laramie (which is where I eventually ended up, but God knew I wasn't ready to meet my husband yet). By God's GRACE I was accepted at the University of Puget Sound in WA where I eventually hit rock bottom, met Jesus, bought my first Bible (now 10 years old), and refused to repent and turn from my sin and follow Jesus (I thought I had all the time in the world!). So I made A LOT more mistakes, graduated, moved home, and was caught in the middle of my mom hitting rock bottom with alcoholism. Although I thought Alaska was my next big adventure (I had a job starting that September basically as a fish warden on the fishing boats in Dutch Harbor, one of the deadliest places on earth I'm told...apparently God wasn't finished with me yet!), I finally moved out to Wyoming to live with my sister. I met Eric (now my husband) the first month I was there...but I had STILL a lot of growing up to do, and we didn't date or even see each other again until over a year later (foreshadowing...dun dun dunnn!) My sister started taking me to church with her, and I'll never forget Pastor Stephen's sermon one morning: he brought suitcases to church that day and asked the question "are you right with God? Are you ready to go at any moment? Because we never know when He's coming for us. If you feel your heart going pitter patter, that's the Holy Spirit talking to you." My heart was beating so fast I was sure the whole congregation could hear it! I had met Jesus almost 5 years ago in my, what I thought was lonely, dorm room, but this was finally the day I wanted to GET RIGHT with Jesus. Repent of my sins, turn from my past life and turn toward Jesus. I wanted to KNOW JESUS and I wanted to FOLLOW HIM. I was in a bad relationship at the time and I was listening to our Pastor's series on Lord of the Rings: how to have a Christ centered marriage. My boyfriend didn't agree with this and my pastor didn't agree with missionary dating, so we parted ways. It was also during that time that I started noticing this familiar blue-eyed cowboy at church and at the gym. We literally ran into each other dancing one night at a concert. He taught me how to triple step, we talked about God, helped lead youth group together, and the rest was history. Just six short months later we were engaged to get married in a month (I'm absolutely positive our families thought we were crazy!) After we got married we had plans to go on a mission trip to Africa, Kenya specifically. All God's signs were there: we stumbled upon the African Children's Choir Concert, we were invited to dine at a Kenyan's house, we even got our shots (doors open!?) I had quit my job, sold my truck, we rented out our house, and bought a camper (that we lived in, in Laramie, in what I have recorded as the coldest winter on earth!) After Christmas at the cabin, I told Eric I wasn't leaving (I was finally warm again...thank you Blaze King!) Just when we were making plans for Eric to quit his job, I found out I was pregnant. Well thank you Jesus now we knew two things for sure: we weren't meant to be in Laramie, but we definitely weren't going to Africa now. My maternal instincts crept in and I was ready to settle down (and although I loved it, I knew I couldn't raise a baby in a cabin with no running water, an outhouse, and with my husband going to work everyday on a snow machine ;o) On a ski trip out to Terry Peak, SD we had some extra time (what!!!) and looked at some houses on our way through Wheatland. I had always loved Wheatland (my ex-boyfriend lived in the Canyon) and Eric had fond memories there as well (actually going to youth group himself!) We loved it and couldn't stop thinking about it so much (our VISION!) we actually put an offer in on a house on our way back through town! The house was already under contract but we kept looking (and praying!) We ended up losing our first baby, but God didn't let me lose the desire to settle down and have children. Did we have the cart before horse trying to buy a house with no job? God resolved that for us: Eric's EXACT position at WYDOT in Laramie "just happened" to open up in Wheatland. We found our house...well not really, the realtor had to DIRECT us to it (we got lost on our own). We, with God's GRACE, got the lending on an unconventional earth-berm (dirt roof) house (this halted the last buyers from following through thank God!) We moved in! Literally weeks later I found out I was finally accepted to Vet school in WA. Really God? (sorry Job moment). Thankfully a week later I found out I was pregnant again...Hallelujah! Although we had been church hopping and honestly stopped going after our faded attempts to find a church home, now the search was on with little bambino on the way. Although we loved Memorial Baptist Church, Frank Smith was what kept us coming back. He treated us like we were his very own grandchildren. MBC was our church home (thankfully just in time for Addalynn to be born only months later. When she was not quite one, we were asked by Pastor Craig to help work with the youth that summer. Now here we are, over three years later and God is still DIRECTING OUR PATHS.
Although the early road of my life was quite unclear, uphill, and at times downright bumpy, it has always led to God. Now that I TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL my HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON MY OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL my WAYS ACKLOWLEDGING HIM, HE DIRECTS my PATHS. I can honestly say this has DAILY helped me. Yes major decisions require prayer and clear direction. But DAILY listening to God's still small voice has removed such a burden from my shoulders. I truly feel every minute of my day is directed by God, and it's SO much easier to just follow His lead. Although this road is still sometimes unclear, uphill, and even bumpy, I know who's at the wheel and I know where it leads: to eternity with God...the very BEST destination ever imaginable...and all thanks to Jesus!
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
How very comforting and true! It was for Paul and it is for me. We talked this morning about the start of Paul's second missionary journey and how God without a doubt directed Paul's path. Seriously, have you ever looked at the disciple's missionary journey's and wondered how in the world they chose the places and paths they chose? If you take a look specifically at Acts 16, one can see the Holy Spirit at work on their journey. Starting from the get go, because Paul went separate ways from Barnabas and John Mark, he and Silas were able to have Timothy come on board in helping with their ministry. Remember: new doors can't open unless old ones close. Also, Paul had plans of going to Asia, but twice in this passage, the Holy Spirit in whatever way (weather, war, wrong turn, etc. etc.) let them know they weren't supposed to go there. Instead of wasting their time and energy trying, they TRUSTED the Lord and leaned not on their own understanding. With his focus still in check (on God), Paul was able to see a vision of Macedonia. He ACKNOWLEDGED GOD and took this as God was DIRECTING his path to Macedonia. Although there wasn't a synagogue to preach at in Philippi (because there were too few Jews in that area), he was able to convert and baptize Lydia and her family (gentiles) down at the place of prayer by the river. What could have been seen as another negative, their being harassed by a possessed slave, flogged, beaten, and thrown into a prison, also had a positive ending: the jailer and his family were converted and baptized during their imprisonment.
Inevitably it's obvious and almost easy to see God directing the paths of Jesus' disciples, but remember, as a follower of Jesus Christ, we're disciples too! Can you see God directing your path? I sure can...
From MN, I was told by my parents that I wasn't allowed to go to college within the state or within any of the surrounding states for that matter. Really they just didn't want me marrying my H.S. boyfriend (door closes). Stubborn me didn't want to go to college where my brother and sister went at UW, Laramie (which is where I eventually ended up, but God knew I wasn't ready to meet my husband yet). By God's GRACE I was accepted at the University of Puget Sound in WA where I eventually hit rock bottom, met Jesus, bought my first Bible (now 10 years old), and refused to repent and turn from my sin and follow Jesus (I thought I had all the time in the world!). So I made A LOT more mistakes, graduated, moved home, and was caught in the middle of my mom hitting rock bottom with alcoholism. Although I thought Alaska was my next big adventure (I had a job starting that September basically as a fish warden on the fishing boats in Dutch Harbor, one of the deadliest places on earth I'm told...apparently God wasn't finished with me yet!), I finally moved out to Wyoming to live with my sister. I met Eric (now my husband) the first month I was there...but I had STILL a lot of growing up to do, and we didn't date or even see each other again until over a year later (foreshadowing...dun dun dunnn!) My sister started taking me to church with her, and I'll never forget Pastor Stephen's sermon one morning: he brought suitcases to church that day and asked the question "are you right with God? Are you ready to go at any moment? Because we never know when He's coming for us. If you feel your heart going pitter patter, that's the Holy Spirit talking to you." My heart was beating so fast I was sure the whole congregation could hear it! I had met Jesus almost 5 years ago in my, what I thought was lonely, dorm room, but this was finally the day I wanted to GET RIGHT with Jesus. Repent of my sins, turn from my past life and turn toward Jesus. I wanted to KNOW JESUS and I wanted to FOLLOW HIM. I was in a bad relationship at the time and I was listening to our Pastor's series on Lord of the Rings: how to have a Christ centered marriage. My boyfriend didn't agree with this and my pastor didn't agree with missionary dating, so we parted ways. It was also during that time that I started noticing this familiar blue-eyed cowboy at church and at the gym. We literally ran into each other dancing one night at a concert. He taught me how to triple step, we talked about God, helped lead youth group together, and the rest was history. Just six short months later we were engaged to get married in a month (I'm absolutely positive our families thought we were crazy!) After we got married we had plans to go on a mission trip to Africa, Kenya specifically. All God's signs were there: we stumbled upon the African Children's Choir Concert, we were invited to dine at a Kenyan's house, we even got our shots (doors open!?) I had quit my job, sold my truck, we rented out our house, and bought a camper (that we lived in, in Laramie, in what I have recorded as the coldest winter on earth!) After Christmas at the cabin, I told Eric I wasn't leaving (I was finally warm again...thank you Blaze King!) Just when we were making plans for Eric to quit his job, I found out I was pregnant. Well thank you Jesus now we knew two things for sure: we weren't meant to be in Laramie, but we definitely weren't going to Africa now. My maternal instincts crept in and I was ready to settle down (and although I loved it, I knew I couldn't raise a baby in a cabin with no running water, an outhouse, and with my husband going to work everyday on a snow machine ;o) On a ski trip out to Terry Peak, SD we had some extra time (what!!!) and looked at some houses on our way through Wheatland. I had always loved Wheatland (my ex-boyfriend lived in the Canyon) and Eric had fond memories there as well (actually going to youth group himself!) We loved it and couldn't stop thinking about it so much (our VISION!) we actually put an offer in on a house on our way back through town! The house was already under contract but we kept looking (and praying!) We ended up losing our first baby, but God didn't let me lose the desire to settle down and have children. Did we have the cart before horse trying to buy a house with no job? God resolved that for us: Eric's EXACT position at WYDOT in Laramie "just happened" to open up in Wheatland. We found our house...well not really, the realtor had to DIRECT us to it (we got lost on our own). We, with God's GRACE, got the lending on an unconventional earth-berm (dirt roof) house (this halted the last buyers from following through thank God!) We moved in! Literally weeks later I found out I was finally accepted to Vet school in WA. Really God? (sorry Job moment). Thankfully a week later I found out I was pregnant again...Hallelujah! Although we had been church hopping and honestly stopped going after our faded attempts to find a church home, now the search was on with little bambino on the way. Although we loved Memorial Baptist Church, Frank Smith was what kept us coming back. He treated us like we were his very own grandchildren. MBC was our church home (thankfully just in time for Addalynn to be born only months later. When she was not quite one, we were asked by Pastor Craig to help work with the youth that summer. Now here we are, over three years later and God is still DIRECTING OUR PATHS.
Although the early road of my life was quite unclear, uphill, and at times downright bumpy, it has always led to God. Now that I TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL my HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON MY OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL my WAYS ACKLOWLEDGING HIM, HE DIRECTS my PATHS. I can honestly say this has DAILY helped me. Yes major decisions require prayer and clear direction. But DAILY listening to God's still small voice has removed such a burden from my shoulders. I truly feel every minute of my day is directed by God, and it's SO much easier to just follow His lead. Although this road is still sometimes unclear, uphill, and even bumpy, I know who's at the wheel and I know where it leads: to eternity with God...the very BEST destination ever imaginable...and all thanks to Jesus!
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
It's not about us
I just finished reading the book of Job and I have to admit, I got lost in it all (no, not lost as in engrossed, lost as in completely confused). I asked my husband about it and he said he watched a helpful Francis Chan youtube video on Job. Not only do I love most Francis Chan videos (check him out if you've never heard of him), but I loved his take on the book of Job.
His conclusion was this: life is not about us! Colossians 1:16 says "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Then 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
If you've never read the Book of Job, do! But just to recap, the book starts out talking about how Job is the most righteous man on earth. Satan goes up to heaven and has a conversation with God. God asks Satan where he's been and Satan says he's been roaming the planet. God asks if Satan's noticed his servant Job and Satan says of course, he only loves you because he's blessed. God then says okay take everything away from him and see that he doesn't still love me. Satan does, he takes everything from Job: his family, health, and wealth...and Job STILL worships God. Although he questions God through it all. God's response to Job's question: another question! God asks Job who he think he is questioning the creator of the universe. Job repents and God gives him back everything Satan took and then some!
Not only does this book display God's power to give and Satan's to take away, but it shows that there's more to this life than the human eye can see. Romans 9:20 states "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” And Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
For all we know Satan still roams the earth and has meetings with God. Although I doubt any of us are as righteous as Job was, who knows if God doesn't say to Satan, have you seen my servant (your name goes here)? We don't always know why we're trialed and tested, why God gives and Satan takes away, but God does (and I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's all for God's glory...not ours ;o). I know I take comfort and feel peace in knowing that although I may just be a pon in a giant game of chess between God and Satan, I already know who the victor is! More than anything, I am eternally grateful (more than words can say) for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for my sins, so that I may someday live forever with Him (and Satan won't be there!)
His conclusion was this: life is not about us! Colossians 1:16 says "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Then 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
If you've never read the Book of Job, do! But just to recap, the book starts out talking about how Job is the most righteous man on earth. Satan goes up to heaven and has a conversation with God. God asks Satan where he's been and Satan says he's been roaming the planet. God asks if Satan's noticed his servant Job and Satan says of course, he only loves you because he's blessed. God then says okay take everything away from him and see that he doesn't still love me. Satan does, he takes everything from Job: his family, health, and wealth...and Job STILL worships God. Although he questions God through it all. God's response to Job's question: another question! God asks Job who he think he is questioning the creator of the universe. Job repents and God gives him back everything Satan took and then some!
Not only does this book display God's power to give and Satan's to take away, but it shows that there's more to this life than the human eye can see. Romans 9:20 states "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” And Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
For all we know Satan still roams the earth and has meetings with God. Although I doubt any of us are as righteous as Job was, who knows if God doesn't say to Satan, have you seen my servant (your name goes here)? We don't always know why we're trialed and tested, why God gives and Satan takes away, but God does (and I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's all for God's glory...not ours ;o). I know I take comfort and feel peace in knowing that although I may just be a pon in a giant game of chess between God and Satan, I already know who the victor is! More than anything, I am eternally grateful (more than words can say) for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for my sins, so that I may someday live forever with Him (and Satan won't be there!)
Monday, January 11, 2016
Awestruck and moved
Last week I witnessed a close family member graduate from drug court. What struck me the most wasn't that he was a sinner, that he overcame the tedious requirements of probation, or even that he developed a relationship with Jesus through it all. I was truly awestruck and moved by how proud of his testimony he was.
Not only had he invited countless family and friends to watch his graduation, but he had inspired those yet to graduate from drug court, his probation officers, the judge, and even his arresting officer!
He realized that being arrested and going through drug court was God's grace and ultimately saved his life from the path of addiction, sin and death that he was on. Hitting rock bottom helped him see God's grace, receive His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and finally turn from his sin. He's now following Jesus and encouraging others with his story.
Hopefully none of us have an addiction to drugs. But we do have one thing in common: we are all sinners and desperately need God's grace and salvation through Jesus. This priceless gift is free and available to everyone, but YOU have to make the choice to receive it. Don't wait another minute, choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior today!
Not only had he invited countless family and friends to watch his graduation, but he had inspired those yet to graduate from drug court, his probation officers, the judge, and even his arresting officer!
He realized that being arrested and going through drug court was God's grace and ultimately saved his life from the path of addiction, sin and death that he was on. Hitting rock bottom helped him see God's grace, receive His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and finally turn from his sin. He's now following Jesus and encouraging others with his story.
Hopefully none of us have an addiction to drugs. But we do have one thing in common: we are all sinners and desperately need God's grace and salvation through Jesus. This priceless gift is free and available to everyone, but YOU have to make the choice to receive it. Don't wait another minute, choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior today!
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Faith AND FOLLOWING
Acts 15
This morning in Sunday School we talked about one of the practices the Pharisees believed in to be saved: the belief that one must be circumcised to be saved. We learned this was a lie. Verse 11 says it is by God's Grace alone that we are saved.
We've talked before about God's Grace and defined Grace as: God at work. I believe because He wants all of us to be saved that He is at work in all of our lives. But there's more to the equation. We have a choice to make in receiving His Grace: the choice to believe in Jesus (that He lived and died for our Sins, and offers us forgiveness and Salvation from Sin and death) AND the choice to REPENT (turn from our sins, and toward Jesus) and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
Personally, it took me 5 years after meeting Jesus in my (what I thought was) lonely sorority dorm room before I finally decided to repent and turn from my life of sin and follow Jesus. I was like Paul talks about in Philippians, I wanted to know Christ. More than that, I wanted to be like Him. I still want to be like Him, and I can't wait for the day when in the twinkling of an eye I am made new: spotless, blameless, and pure.
To be honest, I can't pinpoint exactly why it took me 5 years. Perhaps pride: I liked having "control" of my life. Miss independent, not needing help from anyone, and especially in college not having to submit to anyone (except my professors I guess). Perhaps it was fear. I was afraid my sins were unforgivable, I was afraid I would never change, I was afraid I would have to change too much. Or perhaps it was just plain inexperience. To me, truly repenting and following Jesus takes a leap of faith that you must do wholeheartedly before you can experience what it's like. As much as I love the Bible and believe with every ounce that I am, it is divinely inspired, you can read testimonies all day long, but experiencing your own is like no other.
Truthfully, I think it finally took me realizing I could die at any time (no I didn't have control of my fate) and knowing that I wasn't "RIGHT" with God. I had to get "RIGHT" with Him so I at least had some control of my destiny (Heaven, one may I add I absolutely did nothing to earn...I just chose to received it.
The reason why I wanted to talk about this today is because I feel many people, perhaps in this very room, are in this place of belief in Jesus without truly following Jesus (after repenting of their sins). I lived this way for five years. I knew Jesus existed and that I needed Him for my salvation from sin and death. I was convicted of my sin (I wanted to pull the shades down on the weekends). I felt guilty and even sorry.
But I also knew when the question was truthfully and lovingly asked "Are you right with Jesus?" I wasn't. And I wanted to be. And you can too! Anyone can if they receive God's free gift of Grace and Salvation through Jesus by repenting of their sins and following Him.
All we have to do is check out Jesus' beatitudes to conclude that salvation takes more than just believing in Jesus. Remember, even the devil believes in Jesus.
Jesus says narrow is the path that leads to righteousness. Does this mean few are truly on it?
Jesus said we will know followers of Him by their fruit (fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)
Remember in Matthew 7 Jesus states not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven...I never knew you. Away from me..." Do you know Jesus? Are you truly following Him?
What path are you on? One of darkness or one of light? Examine where you are right now. As you can imagine it's pretty apparent, clear, and even bright if you're walking on the path of righteousness.
This path involves dying to self and living in Jesus, daily seeking Him, listening to His still small voice and being obedient to His will for your life.
Following Jesus leads to Heaven, just believing in Him: the alternative: Hell, both of which you spend eternity in.
Once you're on that illuminated path of righteousness, figure out how to stay there, minute by minute, day by day, year by year, until He comes to take you home.
While on the path that leads to heaven, be mindful of who is and isn't on the same path. Befriend the people who are (they'll help you stay walking in the light) and minister to the people who aren't yet walking in God's light. They say they believe in Jesus but the fruit is not there. They are not being transformed into Jesus' likeness. Perhaps they've just become complacent, comfortable, and lukewarm (remember in Revelation Jesus says He would rather us be Hot or Cold but He will spit us out if we are Lukewarm!)
How do we minister to those people? Remember from last week: plant seeds of truth watered with love. Only God knows when those seeds will germinate and are ready for harvest (but neither of which can happen if we don't plant those seeds!) Be watchful, prayerful, always listening and relying on God's call, wisdom, and strength to plant those seeds.
Paul's right; it is by Grace alone that we are saved. There's nothing we can do to earn our Salvation. But we still must receive it by believing in Jesus and following Him. The latter of which can only be done by turning from a life of sin and turning toward Jesus' path of righteousness.
This morning in Sunday School we talked about one of the practices the Pharisees believed in to be saved: the belief that one must be circumcised to be saved. We learned this was a lie. Verse 11 says it is by God's Grace alone that we are saved.
We've talked before about God's Grace and defined Grace as: God at work. I believe because He wants all of us to be saved that He is at work in all of our lives. But there's more to the equation. We have a choice to make in receiving His Grace: the choice to believe in Jesus (that He lived and died for our Sins, and offers us forgiveness and Salvation from Sin and death) AND the choice to REPENT (turn from our sins, and toward Jesus) and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
Personally, it took me 5 years after meeting Jesus in my (what I thought was) lonely sorority dorm room before I finally decided to repent and turn from my life of sin and follow Jesus. I was like Paul talks about in Philippians, I wanted to know Christ. More than that, I wanted to be like Him. I still want to be like Him, and I can't wait for the day when in the twinkling of an eye I am made new: spotless, blameless, and pure.
To be honest, I can't pinpoint exactly why it took me 5 years. Perhaps pride: I liked having "control" of my life. Miss independent, not needing help from anyone, and especially in college not having to submit to anyone (except my professors I guess). Perhaps it was fear. I was afraid my sins were unforgivable, I was afraid I would never change, I was afraid I would have to change too much. Or perhaps it was just plain inexperience. To me, truly repenting and following Jesus takes a leap of faith that you must do wholeheartedly before you can experience what it's like. As much as I love the Bible and believe with every ounce that I am, it is divinely inspired, you can read testimonies all day long, but experiencing your own is like no other.
Truthfully, I think it finally took me realizing I could die at any time (no I didn't have control of my fate) and knowing that I wasn't "RIGHT" with God. I had to get "RIGHT" with Him so I at least had some control of my destiny (Heaven, one may I add I absolutely did nothing to earn...I just chose to received it.
The reason why I wanted to talk about this today is because I feel many people, perhaps in this very room, are in this place of belief in Jesus without truly following Jesus (after repenting of their sins). I lived this way for five years. I knew Jesus existed and that I needed Him for my salvation from sin and death. I was convicted of my sin (I wanted to pull the shades down on the weekends). I felt guilty and even sorry.
But I also knew when the question was truthfully and lovingly asked "Are you right with Jesus?" I wasn't. And I wanted to be. And you can too! Anyone can if they receive God's free gift of Grace and Salvation through Jesus by repenting of their sins and following Him.
All we have to do is check out Jesus' beatitudes to conclude that salvation takes more than just believing in Jesus. Remember, even the devil believes in Jesus.
Jesus says narrow is the path that leads to righteousness. Does this mean few are truly on it?
Jesus said we will know followers of Him by their fruit (fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)
Remember in Matthew 7 Jesus states not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven...I never knew you. Away from me..." Do you know Jesus? Are you truly following Him?
What path are you on? One of darkness or one of light? Examine where you are right now. As you can imagine it's pretty apparent, clear, and even bright if you're walking on the path of righteousness.
This path involves dying to self and living in Jesus, daily seeking Him, listening to His still small voice and being obedient to His will for your life.
Following Jesus leads to Heaven, just believing in Him: the alternative: Hell, both of which you spend eternity in.
Once you're on that illuminated path of righteousness, figure out how to stay there, minute by minute, day by day, year by year, until He comes to take you home.
While on the path that leads to heaven, be mindful of who is and isn't on the same path. Befriend the people who are (they'll help you stay walking in the light) and minister to the people who aren't yet walking in God's light. They say they believe in Jesus but the fruit is not there. They are not being transformed into Jesus' likeness. Perhaps they've just become complacent, comfortable, and lukewarm (remember in Revelation Jesus says He would rather us be Hot or Cold but He will spit us out if we are Lukewarm!)
How do we minister to those people? Remember from last week: plant seeds of truth watered with love. Only God knows when those seeds will germinate and are ready for harvest (but neither of which can happen if we don't plant those seeds!) Be watchful, prayerful, always listening and relying on God's call, wisdom, and strength to plant those seeds.
Paul's right; it is by Grace alone that we are saved. There's nothing we can do to earn our Salvation. But we still must receive it by believing in Jesus and following Him. The latter of which can only be done by turning from a life of sin and turning toward Jesus' path of righteousness.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
New Year's Resolution...
This year my resolution is to type instead of write my devotions, Bible Studies, and "Talks" rather than continue the stack of lined yellow memo pads that seem to haunt me ;o)
Sunday January 3rd 2016
Acts 13 and 14
Recently Ethan's famous or rather favorite line is "you're not being a nice mommy". I have to admit the first time I heard him whimper those words I was utterly hurt. Now here's my response: "Ethan, It's not my job to be a nice mommy, it's my job to love you." So here's the real question: does love hurt? Are we called to love or be "nice"? Did Jesus love or was He "nice"? What would He have us do? The end old question WWJD?
As Adam Sandler sings in the movie "The Wedding Singer", Love Hurts. And even as mopey and downright pathetic as he looked and sounded in that clip...he was right! Love does hurt (occasionally).
God is Love. He created Love. And he's the author and perfecter of Love. Does that mean that life is always hunky dory? I don't think so. Because God loves us so much, He gave us freewill to make the choice to Love Him back. But, He allows us to face consequences when we choose wrong.
If God never allowed us to go through the storms of life (remember) we would never know where the leaks are in our faith. The stronger our faith in God becomes, the more we become like Jesus and the more we love! God and others (His golden rule).
So what's the verdict? Is God "a nice Daddy" (as Ethan would say). Most of the time yes. And overabundantly so. But when we don't choose right...when we don't choose love...when we don't choose God. No He's not nice. (Remember trials, tribulations, consequences?)
And I would venture to say Jesus didn't call us to be "nice" either. He called us to LOVE by telling the truth.
Jesus always called the kettle black; but He did so in a loving, convicting way.
He called Matthew a tax collector--basically a thief. But later asked Matthew to become one of His disciples (after Matthew repented or turned from his sin and toward Jesus).
He called the woman at the well unfaithful--an adulterer. But later told the Pharisees only to stone her if they were without sin (afterward she repented and shared her testimony with many).
Jesus called a sin a sin...but He did so with Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness. He did so with Love.
Jesus doesn't want us to be people pleasers either. He wants us to speak the truth in Love. To be BOLD in our faith, just as the disciples were in Acts. They didn't back down when the pressure rose. They didn't change their message. They also didn't let the wind go out of their sails, they changed course and told others. The disciples didn't waste their energy getting frustrated, angry, and resentful, instead they pressed forward. Jesus' disciples shared the gospel with love.
And that is this: the truth about Jesus is He is God incarnate. He walked this very planet. Died for your very sins (no you're not perfect). And we need His free gift of salvation from sin and death to receive life and love. We need His righteousness, His Grace, His Mercy, and His Forgiveness through our repentance: turning from our sin and self to Him, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Are you a people pleaser at heart? Do you say what people want to hear? Walk the other direction to avoid confrontation or enable people to just keep on muddling in their own sin? Be honest...I am!
But that's not our purpose. We are to SHARE THE TRUTH IN LOVE. Jesus did and you can too. With the help of His Holy Spirit living within you! Listen for that still small voice, ask for courage and direction, and OBEY. Remember: withholding or only telling part of the truth is still a lie. Do you have truth? Then share it!
Lord I thank you for the gift of Jesus. Not only did He humble Himself by coming to dwell among us, being tempted and trialed just like us, but He saved us by dying on the cross for our sins. Help us to share the truth in love like Jesus did. To listen to the Holy Spirit living within us and say what Jesus would say: Truth. In Your Son's precious name I pray, Amen.
Sunday January 3rd 2016
Acts 13 and 14
Recently Ethan's famous or rather favorite line is "you're not being a nice mommy". I have to admit the first time I heard him whimper those words I was utterly hurt. Now here's my response: "Ethan, It's not my job to be a nice mommy, it's my job to love you." So here's the real question: does love hurt? Are we called to love or be "nice"? Did Jesus love or was He "nice"? What would He have us do? The end old question WWJD?
As Adam Sandler sings in the movie "The Wedding Singer", Love Hurts. And even as mopey and downright pathetic as he looked and sounded in that clip...he was right! Love does hurt (occasionally).
God is Love. He created Love. And he's the author and perfecter of Love. Does that mean that life is always hunky dory? I don't think so. Because God loves us so much, He gave us freewill to make the choice to Love Him back. But, He allows us to face consequences when we choose wrong.
If God never allowed us to go through the storms of life (remember) we would never know where the leaks are in our faith. The stronger our faith in God becomes, the more we become like Jesus and the more we love! God and others (His golden rule).
So what's the verdict? Is God "a nice Daddy" (as Ethan would say). Most of the time yes. And overabundantly so. But when we don't choose right...when we don't choose love...when we don't choose God. No He's not nice. (Remember trials, tribulations, consequences?)
And I would venture to say Jesus didn't call us to be "nice" either. He called us to LOVE by telling the truth.
Jesus always called the kettle black; but He did so in a loving, convicting way.
He called Matthew a tax collector--basically a thief. But later asked Matthew to become one of His disciples (after Matthew repented or turned from his sin and toward Jesus).
He called the woman at the well unfaithful--an adulterer. But later told the Pharisees only to stone her if they were without sin (afterward she repented and shared her testimony with many).
Jesus called a sin a sin...but He did so with Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness. He did so with Love.
Jesus doesn't want us to be people pleasers either. He wants us to speak the truth in Love. To be BOLD in our faith, just as the disciples were in Acts. They didn't back down when the pressure rose. They didn't change their message. They also didn't let the wind go out of their sails, they changed course and told others. The disciples didn't waste their energy getting frustrated, angry, and resentful, instead they pressed forward. Jesus' disciples shared the gospel with love.
And that is this: the truth about Jesus is He is God incarnate. He walked this very planet. Died for your very sins (no you're not perfect). And we need His free gift of salvation from sin and death to receive life and love. We need His righteousness, His Grace, His Mercy, and His Forgiveness through our repentance: turning from our sin and self to Him, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Are you a people pleaser at heart? Do you say what people want to hear? Walk the other direction to avoid confrontation or enable people to just keep on muddling in their own sin? Be honest...I am!
But that's not our purpose. We are to SHARE THE TRUTH IN LOVE. Jesus did and you can too. With the help of His Holy Spirit living within you! Listen for that still small voice, ask for courage and direction, and OBEY. Remember: withholding or only telling part of the truth is still a lie. Do you have truth? Then share it!
Lord I thank you for the gift of Jesus. Not only did He humble Himself by coming to dwell among us, being tempted and trialed just like us, but He saved us by dying on the cross for our sins. Help us to share the truth in love like Jesus did. To listen to the Holy Spirit living within us and say what Jesus would say: Truth. In Your Son's precious name I pray, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)