Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Watch Me

February 23, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Paul says something really big and scary in today’s reading. Something I’m not sure I’d want to say or any of us would want to say.  It’s some big words.  But, it’s something that we each say, each day of our lives.  Listen to what he writes in Philippians 3:17-20:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul says this – you want to know what a Christian is? You want to know how you walk the walk God has set before us? You want to know how a Christian is supposed to live?

Watch me. Follow me. Imitate me. Do what I do.

Wow. That’s a big statement. That’s a powerful statement. I tell folks I’m afraid to put one of those fish on my car because I’m such a bad driver that I don’t want to embarrass God.

That’s how we all can feel sometimes. We see our shortcomings. We see our mistakes. We see what we do wrong.

Paul says, watch me. Do what I do. If you want to see what a Christian does, watch me.

Two things then – first, let’s make sure we surrond ourselves with those that are an inspiration, that are a role model, that help us to know how to live.

Who do you look up to? Who do you follow? What crowd do you associate with? Are the folks in your life helping you to live the life that you’d like to live?

And second, realize that there are always eyes watching us, to see what we do and how we live. These are the little eyes of our children, our grandchildren, our nieces or nephews, those little ones in our lives.

They are watching us. They are seeing what we do. They are seeing how we live. Let us not forget that. Let us remember.

Let’s make sure that we are doing what we need to do in our lives, so that those little eyes can have examples to follow.

Paul says, watch me. In our lives, that’s already happening. May we each live in a graceful manner and set that same example.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Today is Ash Wednesday.  It is a special day in life of the life of faith. But, what is it? What is it all about?

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season known as Lent.  It’s a time when we focus on our great need for Jesus, what He sacrificed for us, and His high calling in our lives to be faithful.

The thing that is powerful to me about this concept is the notion that is we forget sometimes what Jesus did for us. We talk so much about His love, His mercy, His grace, His compassion, all these things, that we forget what these things cost Him.

Just how much it cost Him to accept us.

We know that grace is free. But it is not cheap.  It cost Him more than we could ever imagine.

We don’t need to forget that.  It was for us He bled and died. It was for us He suffered.

It was for OUR sin.

It was for MY sin.

And so, when we “give up” something for Lent, we are remembering His suffering. And here is the thing. We aren’t giving things up to show that we are spiritual supermen or women, we doing it to be driven to prayer. Every time you miss whatever it is you are giving up, pray.

Every time you have a craving for whatever it is you are giving up, pray.

Every time you think about what Jesus has done for you, pray.

May we have a holy Lent.  May we reflect upon what He has done for us. And may we remember all that we have to be thankful for.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Stand

February 20, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

One of the things that people here at Asbury are used to hearing me say is that life is not full of rainbows and unicorns. Life can and will tough at times. There will be trials and worries and struggles.

Paul in this passage we read today reminds us of that. Paul tells us that we will have to stand against the schemes of the devil. We will wrestle not against flesh and bone, but against the powers of this dark age.

Listen to what he writes in Ephesians 6:10-13:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Remember, the person that you see as your enemy is not your enemy. Our enemies are not others – our enemy is the evil one, the devil, the one out to destroy us now, and forever.

Paul reminds us, though, that we must fight. We will have troubles. We will face attacks. There will be tough moments ahead. So, what do we do? Listen to what he says.

First, be strong in the Lord. This brief passage is the introduction to the Amor of God, and it describes the weapons that God has given us to fight against the evil, the sin, the temptation in our lives.

Stand in God’s strength. No that He is the one that gives you the power and ability to stand against the evil in your life, in the world, and in the things that you face. Rely upon God. Lean upon God. Trust upon God.

When temptation comes, rely upon God’s power working through you. Stop. Pray. Lean upon Him. He will give you the strength.

And second, with the strength He gives you – stand. He will do His part. You do yours. He will give you strength for you legs. Stand upon them. He will give you the power. Use it.

Today, you will face troubles, trials, and temptations. You will.

You can handle it. You can do it. You can fight it! You can! Trust in God’s strength. And stand in it! God will be with you!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

What Success Looks Like

February 16, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Sometimes in scripture, God ask people to do crazy things. He told Noah to build a big boat when it wasn’t even raining, and hadn’t rained in years.

He told Abraham to leave his home and go to place that God would show him.

Jesus asked the disciples to leave behind their jobs and their identities and families to follow Him.

God calls us to things that can be seen as odd and challenging for Him sometimes. Look at what he calls Ezekiel to today.  Listen to Ezekiel 33:31-33:

And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

He tells him, you are going to be a prophet. You are going to speak and they are going to come and listen to you. They will know that what you are saying is right. They will hear all these words.

But they won’t do them. God is telling him – you are going to say these things – and no one is going to pay you any attention.

This is not the success that we would like to think about. Succes in God’s eyes is not “success.” It’s being faithful.

God called Ezekiel today to be faithful. To preach. To prophesy. To do what God had called him to. And to leave the results up to God.

What a great notion. Today, for us, success is to just be faithful. To all that we can do to be faithful to God and to His calling. That’s success. That’s victory. That’s what it looks like.

Even though no one did what Ezekiel told them to do, he was successful. Because he was faithful.

Today, let’s be faithful. In that, we will find the success that God wants us to have!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Keep Going

February 15, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

We’ve all done some dumb things. I have. You have. We’ve all done dumb things. It’s part of the human experience. Welcome to the club.

But Paul tells us this great word today in Philippians. Forget what lies behind. Don’t worry about it.  Listen to what Philippians 3:12-14 says:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Why? How? How can we forget about what is behind? How can we forget about the mistakes of the past? How can we keep going?

A coupe of reasons. First, there’s nothing we can do about it. Nothing. It’s done. You can’t go back and undo it. Worrying about and lingering it won’t undo it.

Second, and more important, it doesn’t even matter. Through Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. That’s right, you are forgiven. As far as the east is from the west, our sins are forgiven.

That thing that you can’t forgive yourself of? That thing in your past you can’t let go of? That thing in your past that you keep beating yourself up over?

Guess what?

You’re forgiven. Today. Right now. You’re forgiven.

You can let let. Keep moving. Keep going forward.

What God has for you in the future is better than any mistake of the past. Keep pressing on towards it. You can do it. You are forgiven. You are free. Keep going.

Forgetting what is behind, we press on to what lies ahead. Today, let’s do that.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

A Good Life?

February 13, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Paul tells us in Thessalonians today to live a good life.

Gulp. That sounds hard. That sounds like it might be impossible. That sounds like it might be too much. I’m not sure I want to do that.

I mean, a good life? Does that mean I have to be perfect? Move to Africa? Do everything right? I can’t do all that! If that’s what a good life is then I can’t do it.

Before we go down the road of what a good life may look like, let’s see what Paul actually says today.  Listen to what he writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

What is a good life – love each other. Live quietly. Mind your own business. Work with your hands. Walk properly before others. Take care of yourself.

Simple things. Honest things. Good things.

God doesn’t expect greatness out of us. He expects faithfulness. And if we are faithful, He will take care of the greatness. He will take our faithfulness and make it great.

The key to a good life is be faithful in the small things. Your work. Your school. Your family. Your friendships. Your prayer life. Your study. Be faithful in the common, every day things.

And God will make it great.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

The Devil is a Bully

February 9, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Listen to 1 Peter 5:8-10 this morning.  Peter in this passage tells us two very important facts for our lives and our walks of faith today.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

First, we see in verse 8, the devil, the forces of evil are out to trip us up. There is a such a force as spiritual warfare, there is temptation, there.

Today, you will face temptation. It will happen. There are forces out there, temptations within yourself, things that are going to do their best to keep you from growing, being faithful, being effect for the gospel.

Scripture tells us that the our adversary the devil is prowling like a lion, seeking whom he may devour.

That’s fact one.

Fact two is this – bring it on!

Verse 9 says resist him, stand firm in your faith, and he will flee from you. The devil is a bully. He acts big and bad. He acts like he is strong and is all powerful.

He is not. He is not all powerful. He is not the king of the world. God is.

And through through our faith and the power of the spirit, when we stand firm, he will flee. He will.

Today, stand firm in your faith. Stand firm against the doubts, the temptations, the trials, the fear. Stand firm.

The devil is a bully. He acts big and bad. He is not. Through the power of God, he will flee.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

What is a Worthy Life?

February 8, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

One of the most powerful scenes I’ve ever seen in a movie was near the end of Saving Private Ryan. Many of you have seen the movie, but for those of you that haven’t, the movie is about a unit of soliders in World War 2 that is sent to save Private Ryan, the only remaining brother of a family that has lost all the other children in war.

Ryan is saved, and in the end of the movie he is standing before the graves of the fallen men that saved him, and he stands up crying. He turns to his wife and says – tell me I’ve been a good man.

That scene always gives me a lump in my throat every time I see it. What a powerful moment, to realize all that he had been given and that desire to life a worthy life.

Listen to what Paul writes in Philippians 1:27-28:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

We ask Christians have the same burden in lives. We are called to live a worthy life.  So much has been given for our sake. Christ was betrayed, suffered, and died for our sake. He endured the shame, the agony, and the pain of the cross for us.

For me.

For you.

So much has been given for us. Let us remember that.

So, then, what is a worthy life? What does that look like?

I’ll sum it up in one word – grace. Christ suffered to give us grace, mercy, and forgiveness. He desires to see us give that same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to each other.

A worthy life is not a perfect life. A worthy life is a life of grace. Today, and each day, with the grace given to us, may we seek to live a life worthy of the gospel!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

How God Uses our Defeats

February 7, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Just a reminder, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

1 Kings 19 is a great chapter of the Bible. We could spend a to time talking about so many things here.

I mean, in this chapter, you have Elijah, the brave prophet of God, running from Jezebel when she threatens his life. So, even after a great victory, he doesn’t trust God like he should.

Then we have the Lord providing food and drink from him when he is at his lowest and most tire. The Lord took care of him.

And then we have the Lord speaking to him not in the loud and in the powerful, but in the still small whisper. There are so many amazing things here.

But today, I wanted to talk about verses 19-21. Listen to what happens:

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

In this passage, Elijah is returning home from all this. He had every right to be defeated. When he was faced with a challenge, he ran. He doubted God. He doubted God’s protect and provision. He didn’t trust God as he should have trusted. He literally had given into fear and doubt.

That’s something that we all know that we shouldn’t do. But, it’s something that we all do, and have done. So, at this point he was defeated. He had messed up. And that was that.

Yet, on the way home from this failure, the Lord directs him to meet a young man by the name of Elisha. And this young man would become his follower and become a great prophet just like Elijah.

From the moment of his failure, a moment of victory. Elijah had this great and embarrassing defeat, as he ran like a scared dog from Jezabel. And God used that. God used that defeat to bring out something good.

God literally brought victory from the jaws of defeat.

That’s what He did for Elijah, and that’s what He will do for us today. Today, God will use and failure, our defeats, our mistakes, for good. He will bring good out of everything. Everything that happens, God will bring good out of.

God doesn’t always stop bad things from happening. But God bring good out of everything.

Today, God will use your defeat. He will use your failures. He will use all of you for something great. Let Him guide and direct your path. He will do it.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

First Things First

February 6, 2012 by Andy Stoddard

Just a reminder, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Jesus must be first in our lives. There is no other way that life works. Jesus must be first. Only when He is first, does everything else fall into place.

Listen to what happens in Luke 9:57-62:

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We see in today’s text that different people respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him. One says, I’ll follow, but Jesus warns, it will be tough. You will have no place to lay your head. Scripture doesn’t say, but it implies that He does not follow.

Jesus is saying – I must come first.

Next, Jesus gives the call and the other says, I must bury my father. Jesus response sounds cold, uncaring for family. That’s not who Jesus is, through. If you remember at the cross, one of the last things that He did was that He made sure His mother Mary was taken care of.

Jesus is not uncaring for family. He is just saying – I must come first.

Finally one says let me go and say good by to my friends and family, and Jesus responds – no. I must be first!

Jesus does not desire to separate us from those that love us. He does nto desire to separate us from those that we love. What is saying is this – first things first. I must come first.

In every relationship, in every moment, in every thought, in everything in our lives, He must come first.

That’s where life is found. And when He is first, everything else makes sense. When He is not, when something or someone else is first things don’t make sense. But, when He is first, life is as it should be.

Today, in all your life, keep first things first. Keep Jesus first. And everything else will make sense.

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Older Posts »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 29 other followers