Tag Archives: Hope

Not of this World

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Sometimes as Christians we get too caught up in the stuff of this world.

Now, I’m not just talking about silly stuff that takes up too much of our time (i.e., trying to figure out who Ole Miss’ next coach is going to be), but stuff that is really important. I’m talking about the big things. Stuff that really does matter.

Politics. Money. Our job. The economy. The future. These things are all really important. These things really do matter. These things should concern us.

It’s easy to let all of our time, our efforts, our energy get devoted to these things. It happens to us all. But today, listen to what Jesus says in John 18:36-37.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

First, He is a King. Our best friend, our savior, He is a king. The very one who hears our prayers, who walks with us daily, who advocates to the Father on behalf; He is a King. That should give us confidence and security.

But, His kingdom is not of this world.

And for us as His followers, the subjects in His kingdom, this world is not our home. As much as we love it here. As great as it is. As much joy as it might give us as times. This world is not our home.

We have a better home. We have a better place. We have a place of true life awaiting us. Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. And those that know the truth listen to His voice.

Today, listen to His voice. Calling you deeper. Calling you to Him. Calling you past the things that take up all your time and energy and give you such stress. These things that you think offer you true life; but don’t. The things of this world, both good and bad.

Listen to Him. Listen to His voice. Live in your true home.

And today, as Christians, our job is to make this world as much like our true home, as possible. So, we work for good. We love. We serve. We give. We encourage. We forgive. We want to make this earth as much like heaven as possible.

As we pray, Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. May we work for this today.

But may we remember, that as great as this life is, this world is not our true home. Today, may we live with eternity in our eye.

Closer than You Know

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Jesus Christ walks with us through every day of life. Every day. There’s not a day that passes that He is not part of. He never leaves our side, in the good and in the bad. He is our closest friend, and closest companion.

Listen to what Paul says today in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

In this passage today, Paul says something – that Jesus Christ Himself, and God the Father, they will give us comfort, hope and through grace.

By the way, anytime you hear the word grace, think Holy Spirit. Why? Because we receive grace through the Holy Spirit. So today, we have the comfort and hope of the Father and the Son through the presence of the Spirit.

In other words, today, no matter where you are in your life; God is wrapping you in His arms. He is embracing you. He is pulling you to Himself. He is walking with you, He has never left you, He is with you, He love you.

Today, feel Him embrace you. Support you. Love you. Carry you. When you think it’s tough and troubled, stop. Breathe. And look for God’s presence. It’s there.

Even if you don’t see it at first. God is closer than you know. He is with you. May you know His power and presence today.

Something Better

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This passage of scripture that is in our reading today was one of the first ones that I really spent any time reading when I first got serious about my faith. It was one of the ones that really sort of stuck with me. I really spent time chewing on this and thinking about.

It’s Matthew 25:1-13.  Listen to what it says:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

It talks about the fact that our Lord will return one day, at an hour that no one expects Him. When we think about this passage, and others that talk about His return, we tend to focus on one question.

When? When is it? It’s soon right? When?

A lot of folks spent a lot of time talking about when He’s coming back. Lots of mental energy is spent trying to unlock these mysteries. That no one is going to unlock.

So because I’ve always felt that why, I’ve never focused on the fact that no one knows the hour or day, I focused on another part.

This world is not our home. As awesome as this life is, and I love this life, this world is not our home. We were created for something bigger, something better.

We were created for eternity with God. We were made to fully know Him, as He has fully known us. We were made for the beauty of full relationship and communion with God.

So, if your life is just about as perfect as it can be, know this. There is something better. As good as it can be here, there is something better.

Don’t make this world your home. Don’t get too comfortable. Don’t forget that we are just pilgrims passing through. This world is not our home.

And if life is bad. If it is hard. If it is tough. Remember. It is going to get better. Our Lord suffered. And our Lord showed the way to true life. It is going to get better. There is something better.

Live today to the fullest. Be faithful. Love. Serve. Laugh. Share. Give witness to God and His grace. And know that as amazing as it can all be around here, there is something better.

Let’s never forget that.

Running Uphill

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Sometimes in life, we feel like we are running uphill.

It seems like the battle we face may be too great; it seems like the challenges that we are up against seem like they may be too much to overcome.

And when we are facing such a tough battle, we can think that it might be easier to just give up. What’s the point of trying.

You may be there right now.  You may dealing with something right now that makes you think, there’s no way that we can do it.

It’s too hard.

It’s too tough.

We just can’t do it.

Listen to the words of Hebrews 12: 1-2 today.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God

Since you we are surrounded by all of these that have gone before us, don’t give up. Don’t quit.  Don’t lose hope.

You can do it.  Keep going!  Keep running.  Keep trying!  You can do it.

And remember the example set for us by Jesus. Who, even though He faced the shame and death of the cross, He kept going.

Today, even if you running uphill, keep running.  You can do it. Today, remember the example set by those that have run it race before us.

And remember the example set by Jesus. Today, keep running.

The Stuff of Earth

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It’s tempting sometimes to think that our help comes from the stuff of this world.

Our help, our hope, our salvation – it comes from the economy. Or it comes from our job. Or it comes from our status. Or it comes from, well, whatever.

When the stuff of this world seems to be out of whack or out of character, we can think, well, what hope do we have? What chance to do we have? What prayer do we have.

We can only focus on the stuff of the world, and forget eternity.

Listen to Psalm 146: 3-6 this morning:

Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;

This Psalm reminds us that our hope is not in the stuff of this world. It’s not even in ourselves. For all of us, even the most awesome among us, are but a breath.

One day we will draw our last breath upon earth and our time here will be done.

This is not eternity. This is not forever.

Our hope is not the passing stuff of this world. It is in the eternal hope of God.

He will not disappoint us. He will not fail us. He will not forsake us. His hope is real and forever and lasting.

And we can truly trust in it today.

Today, where is your hope? Where is your trust? In the stuff of earth? Or the stuff of heaven?

Today, may we realize that our true hope is not in the stuff of earth. May we realize our true hope is in the king of heaven.

What Do We Lift Up?

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One of the things that I most dearly believe is this – it all comes down to Jesus. Everything. Everything n the church, everything in our lives, everything in our ministries. It all comes down to Him.  He is the center of it all, the cornerstone of it all, the foundation of it all.

It’s all about Jesus.

I had a professor in seminary that used to say that eventually every problem in our lives can be traced back to our walk with Jesus. I think that there is some real truth in that.  Everything comes back to our relationship with Him.

Listen to what Our Lord tells us today in  John 3: 13-16

No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Of course, we are always drawn to John 3:16, which is one of the key verses for Christian hope and eternity. But, look before that.  In that Jesus references something that happens in the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, when to save the lives of the people being bitten by snakes, God instructs Moses to make a snake and attach it to a pole.  In doing this, all that looked at the snake would live.

And He says that when He is lifted up, just as the snake was, all that look to Him will be saved.

He says later in John 12, when He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him.

When we life Him up, with our words, with our lives, with our actions, with all that we are, people are drawn to Him. People are drawn to the hope and salvation in Jesus. He’s at the center, He is the heart, He is it all.

When He is lifted up, all people are drawn to Him.

So, today, a question. What do we lift up in our lives?  Are we lifting up Jesus? Do our lives point to Him?

It’s all about Him.  He is hope, life, and salvation.  And all are drawn to Him.

Today, as we live our lives, are we lifting Him up?

That’s our mission today.

 

Follow Me – Hope and Change Podcast

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The sermon podcast for Sunday, August 21, 2011 is up on Asbury Church’s website.  This is the second sermon in our series about discipleship and the transformed life entitled “Follow Me.”  It is about following Jesus to a life of hope and change. It deals with the life of Matthew and the text is Matthew 9: 9-13.  You can listen to it by clicking here, or you can listen to it here on this blog by clicking below. And, as always, you can subscribe to my sermon podcasts through iTunes.

Giving Up

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Sometimes giving up seems like the best option.

Sometimes giving up seems like it is the only thing that we can do. Sometimes the road seems too long. Sometimes the trials seem too deep. Sometimes it seems like it is just not worth the work that lays ahead to finish the race.

Sometimes it seems too hard.

Sometimes the road seems to long.

Sometimes we just dont’ think we can do it.

So, why do it? What’s the point? It’s not like we can finish anyway.

On days when we are tempted to think that way, listen to what we read in Hebrews 12 today:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Remember.  You are surrounded by a mighty cloud of witnesses. There are people who are there for you. People that support you.  People that love you.  People that are on your side.

I know when you are in the midst of a storm, you feel like you are all alone. I know it feels that way. I know it’s tempting to believe.

You are not.  You are not all alone.  You are surrounded by people who love you.  Even if it doesn’t feel that way.  Even if you can’t see it.  You are not alone.

Don’t lose hope.

And, remember one last thing. Remember what Jesus endured.  Remember what He suffered. Remember what He went through.  Remember.

Jesus kept going. He set the example for us. Remember that. Don’t grow weary.

You can do it. Even if you think that it’s impossible. Even if you think it won’t happen, don’t give up. Remember those that surround you that support and cheer for you.

And remember what our Lord endured. Remember His example. And live in His strength.

Keep running today. Don’t give up.

You can do it!

 

What are you Looking at?

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What are you looking at?

Well, you are probably thinking right now, my email.  Or my smart phone.  Or your blog.  That’s what I’m looking at right now.  Ok, what will you look at next next?  What you have you looked at already today?

And I’m not just talking about what you’ve “seen” with your eyes.  What have you dwelled on with your soul?  What have you allowed your mind and your spirit to rest upon today? What have you focused your thoughts and your presence upon today?

In the Bible, one of the things that we see Jesus do over and over again is heal the blind. Now, in scripture there is a physical miracle that happens here, but there is a deeper spiritual miracle. To heal the blind isn’t just to bring sight to the eyes, it’s to bring sight to the soul. Not just to let folks “see” physically, but to really let them see what’s going on in a deeper, spiritual way.

So, today, what are you looking at?  Where are you gazing?

Listen to the words of Psalm 101 today:

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.

What are you looking at? Where are you dwelling? Where is your soul today?

Today, are you “looking” at the things of God? Are you “looking” at the things of the world? Are you “looking” at your own fleshly desires?  Are you looking at the things that dishonor God?  Or are you looking at the things that honor God and give life?

Are you “looking” at anger?

Are you “looking” at pride?

Are you “looking” at hatred?

Are you “looking” at unforgiveness?

Are you “looking” at you?  Or are you “looking” at God?

Our kids used to sing that song – Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see.

Today, are you being careful what you see?  Are you placing your eyes, your mind, your soul on the things of God?  For only in doing that can we find life, love, peace, and joy.

Today, what are you looking at?

 

Don’t Stay Locked Up in Fear

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Fear is a great motivator.  Some of the greatest athletes in history were motivated by a fear of failure and of letting people down.

Fear, when channeled, can be something that pushes us and drives us and causes us to achieve a goal or do something great. Fear, when channeled and used for good, can be a great motivator.

But, for many of us, that is not the role that fear plays in our lives.  Instead of motivating us, fear can cripple us.  Instead of driving us, fear can break us.  Instead of pushing us down the road, fear can stop us from moving.

For many of us today, we live our lives out of fear. And we don’t like the results. We live in fear of the past.

Of the future.

Of the present.

Of the known.

Of the unknown.

Of what we can control.

Of what we can’t.

For many of us today, we live a life that is dominated by fear.  Listen to what happens to the disciples in John 20 today:

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

They were hiding behind these locked doors because they were afraid. They were hiding away from people because they were fearful.

And Jesus comes to them and says – Don’t hide. Go. Don’t stay locked up here. Go.  Go out. Be faithful.  Preach, teach, love. Don’t stay locked up in fear.

Go.

How can they go when they are afraid?  He is with them. And He will give peace.  No matter what. No matter what they face. He will give peace.

Today, don’t stay locked up in fear.  Don’t stay afraid.  No matter what you are facing God is with you.  No matter what you are up against, God is with you.  No matter what fear wells up in your soul, God is with you.

Today, do not be afraid. God is with you.

You have nothing to fear.